The Toronto Blue Jays might be leading the American League East, but not everyone believes they should be adding talent at the MLB trade deadline.
While ESPN’s Buster Olney insists the Blue Jays will be aggressive buyers, Bleacher Report’s latest analysis pushes back. Despite Toronto’s 29-13 run since May 28 and a 55-41 record, B/R calls them sellers. Why? A modest +17 run differential and inconsistent rotation suggest the hot streak may be covering deeper flaws.
Blue Jays’ First-Place Surge Doesn’t Erase Underlying Issues
Toronto has made up ground fast. But their overall profile—particularly on the mound—isn’t MLB playoff-proof.
Outside of José Berríos, the rotation has lacked dependability. Kevin Gausman, once the staff ace, has posted a 4.19 ERA in 19 starts this season, with a 6–7 record and a strikeout rate of 8.5 K/9—his second lowest since 2020. The rest of the rotation hasn’t fared much better, combining for a group ERA of 4.60. With no clear second ace, Toronto’s chances in a short playoff series are questionable. Vladimir Guerrero Jr., the team’s biggest star, has hit just 12 home runs. Meanwhile, 35-year-old George Springer might face a second-half regression.
Bleacher Report’s verdict: sell. The outlet notes that the Jays’ +17 run differential is more in line with a .500 club than a division leader. While Toronto deserves credit for capitalizing on a soft division, their postseason ceiling may be lower than their record suggests.
If the front office accepts that assessment, it could quietly shop expiring contracts or MLB veterans unlikely to return. That wouldn’t mean waving a white flag—it could mean playing the long game. For a team that has underperformed in October in recent years, a smart retool might be more valuable than a short-lived playoff cameo.
Pressure Mounts as Trade Deadline Approaches
Still, Olney believes GM Ross Atkins will go the other direction.
“The Blue Jays are going to be aggressive,” Olney said on TSN Radio, citing bullpen help as the team’s primary focus. Minnesota Twins relievers Jhoan Duran and Griffin Jax are both potential targets. Toronto could also pursue frontline starters like Zac Gallen or Merrill Kelly from the Arizona Diamondbacks.
Olney compared this opportunity to the Blue Jays’ 2015 deadline, when they made franchise-altering trades for David Price and Troy Tulowitzki. That year ended in an ALCS berth, giving fans hope this year’s club can follow suit.
But the market is tight. The Yankees, Mets, and Dodgers are all hunting for arms, and Toronto may need to overpay to outbid them. Even then, does a late splash solve structural issues that have plagued the team since April?
Toronto’s internal decision will define their season. If they hold or sell, fans will question why a contending team refused to push in. But if they buy and come up short again, critics will point back to the warning signs Bleacher Report outlined.
There’s no obvious answer—just two paths with very different risks. And the only certainty is that the Blue Jays don’t have much time left to decide which one they’re willing to live with.
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