At the time of writing, the MLB trade deadline is less than 24 hours away and for the first time since 2016, our heroes are buyers rather than sellers. Granted, the playoff format has been expanded from 10 teams to 16 and pre-season favorites like the Red Sox and Angels have faltered spectacularly but it still counts and it still means we could see Toronto in a post-season series. To get us across the line into October however and to ensure we stand as good a chance as possible, we need to make moves at the deadline to address some key issues.
Already at the time of writing, a pair of Seattle Mariners have sailed due east to Buffalo. Daniel Vogelbach was picked up for cash considerations and Taijuan Walker was picked up for cash and a player to be named later. Vogelbach adds a much needed bat on the bench and though he has struggled to the tune of a sub .100, Vogelbach is still a power bat with a good eye at the plate who showed in early 2019 that he can be a valuable bat. Walker conversely has had a nice 2020 after three years of injury woes. He has shown nice velocity, an improved slider and impressive poise. His debut yesterday was an outstanding performance. Six shutout innings are always welcome around these parts, especially given injuries to Matt Shoemaker and Nate Pearson. I am pleased so far with what has been done but I believe we can add more. The front office seems to concurr given the noises we have heard from them of late.
So what more can be done? We still have an open spot in the rotation and we still have a lack of bench depth. We could also use a catcher. These, I believe should be the points of emphasis between now and tomorrow afternoon.
Additions to the rotation could come from several avenues. Dylan Bundy is likely available from the Angels not likely to command an enormous asking price. (I don't expect the Blue Jays to expend huge amounts of prospect capital this year as this could hamper future success) Bundy may be convenient in that he has pitched in the AL East before (Baltimore) but has a history of being homer prone and Sahlen field so far has been good hitting. Another former Oriole that could be coming over is Kevin Gausman. Again, low asking price in all likelihood but not exactly someone you expect to lead you down the stretch. The Blue Jays have also been linked to Pittsburgh's Chad Kuhl and Trevor Williams but similar remarks here. For a more marquee name, we have the Rangers' Lance Lynn but given his extra year of control at $8 million next year, expect the asking price to be commensurate with his name and contract status. Trevor Bauer is also a likely trade candidate but the Reds will no doubt want a lot, even though he is a pending free agent. The quality here though is beyond doubt though. He has pitched well in 2020 and is the outside of maybe former Cleveland teammate Mike Clevinger, the best pitcher available.
As for position players, the most likely upgrade is behind the plate. There is not a whole lot of big name loot available unless the Phillies opt to shop J.T. Realmuto. (unlikely) Christian Vazquez however, likely is available and would be a solid veteran presence behind the plate though not a big offensive boost. At other positions, the Blue Jays have been linked to Andrelton Simmons and given the injury to Bo Bichette, there is some sense to making this move. He is a pending free agent for the selling Angels and asking price therefore will likely not be exorbitant. He is a plus defender and historically a solid contact hitter that would be a significant upgrade over Joe Panik and Santiago Espinal. More remote possibilities include Whit Merrifield (a dream add but a sky high asking price) and Kyle Seager whom the Mariners may wind up keeping to lead a new young core in 2021.
Whatever happens, expect Toronto to contend and expect the Blue Jays to make the playoffs. There aren't too many clubs close to them and if they can take advantage of this chunk of their schedule, they're pretty much set. They are still in the up and coming phase of the contention cycle however and prospect capital is still very important. The return of Ken Giles, Bo Bichette and Nate Pearson would boost the team without need for losing minor league assets. Nevertheless, expect another Taijuan Walker style add or two where the Blue Jays target an undervalued piece with nice upside. Either way, the Blue Jays should be fine to watch over the next month or two.
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