Trade Deadline Wish List: Top Blue Jays Trade Fits
Even the players put themselves in the GM chair sometimes.
This time of year, there's a buzz in the locker room, Blue Jays starter Ross Stripling said, and one of the "more fun things to do" is sit around and talk potential trades with teammates ahead of the deadline.
"We just like to speculate," Stripling said. "Where's Kris Bryant going? Where's Scherzer going? Do those guys get moved? We kinda just play GM for the fun of it."
With four days until the 2021 MLB trade deadline (Friday, July 30th at 4 p.m. EST) the hypothetical moves and transactions are beginning to become a reality. Adam Frazier and Nelson Cruz, two rumored Blue Jay trade targets, have already found new deadline homes, but fits for each of Toronto's needs still remain:
The Starting Pitcher: Kyle Gibson
Blue Jays GM Ross Atkins said the starting pitching market "feels sparse" last week, and has directed expectations away from a significant SP move. However, with Thomas Hatch now in the big leagues, the Jays have little remaining Major League caliber pitching depth, and could make a move for a starter in the coming days.
Though names like Max Scherzer and Jose Berrios draw most of the attention, Kyle Gibson has put up an all-star season, with a 2.87 ERA and 3.75 FIP, and finds himself on the block. Gibson will still cost a hefty package, but he brings the 2021 performance of the best names on the market and comparable control to more expensive options.
If the Jays can't land a controllable start to plug into the 2022 rotation as well, a low-cost rental like Pineda or Anderson could fill a SP 5/6 depth role for the stretch run.
Other Options: Michael Pineda, Jon Gray, Tyler Anderson
The Rental Reliever: Daniel Hudson
This seems like the area of an inevitable move for the Blue Jays. Atkins has brought in two performing arms in Adam Cimber and Trevor Richards (who have still been imperfect), but the bullpen could use another late-inning weapon.
Daniel Hudson is a known asset to this Blue Jays front office, posting a 3.0 ERA in 48 innings for the squad back in 2019. Though battling injuries briefly, he's having similar success for the Nationals this season, striking our 13.4 batters per nine and posting a 2.49 FIP. Each of the named relievers in this category are on an expiring deals and would be part of the type of low-cost move that happens numerous times a deadline.
Other Options: Mychal Givens, Ian Kennedy, Brad Hand
The Controllable Closer: Craig Kimbrel
If a veteran rental is not the reliever direction the Blue Jays want to go, and they want to ensure bullpen dominance for the rest of this season and all of 2022, Kimbrel will provide exactly that.
Kimbrel is a special reliever, not just one of the best closers in baseball this year with a .49 ERA (no, that's not a mistake), but one of the best in modern history. Kimbrel has led the league in saves four times, posted a sub-two ERA in four seasons before 2021, and has received Cy Young votes five times.
Arbitration eligible options like Rogers and Rodriguez will also have high prices, but there are recent comparable deals for a Kimbrel swap this week. At the 2019 deadline, the Braves swung a pair of deals to acquire two of the top relievers on the market, Shane Greene and Mark Melancon. For Greene, Atlanta gave up their No. 7 prospect and an unranked Travis Demeritte, and for Melancon they shipped out their No. 17 prospect and more.
If the Jays want to make a big bullpen splash and are willing to move at least a Top 15 prospect from a strong system, they could end up with the best offer on the former Red Sox closer.
Other Options: Taylor Rogers, Richard Rodriguez
The Third Basemen: Eduardo Escobar
While all eyes first glance at the big name Kris Bryant, Eduardo Escobar offers everything the Blue Jays currently need at the hot corner. Escobar is a switch-hitting third basemen, with a .783 OPS despite playing for one of the worst teams in baseball, and a positive defensive runs saved at his position.
Like Bryant, Escobar is in the final year of his contract, and has already drawn interest from the Chicago White Sox, who are without infielder Nick Madrigal for the rest of the season. The Jays record and position outside the playoffs may prevent them from winning a bidding war on a rental, but Escobar is certainly the best fit at third.
Other Options: Kris Bryant, Colin Moran
The Lefty Bat: Joey Gallo
With no clear positional fit on the Blue Jays, the bat, and particularly Gallo's handedness, is what fills a need on this Toronto team. With only Cavan Biggio and Reese McGuire as active lefty hitters, a career .832 OPS lefty who currently leads the majors in walks and has 24 homers like Gallo would certainly be enticing.
I wrote about a potential Gallo deal with Rangers reporter Chris Halicke, where a hypothetical ask of Lourdes Gurriel Jr., Jordan Groshans, and Orelvis Martinez for Gallo and Ian Kennedy was thrown around. With over a year left of control, and the Rangers reportedly seeking to extend Gallo, the price will be high.
Other Options: Max Kepler
The Blockbuster: Jose Ramirez
Jose Ramirez has finished in the top-three in AL MVP voting in three of the past four years and has been an above average hitter each season since 2015. Cost controlled through 2023, he's the type of player that rarely finds his way onto the block, and would, rightfully, cost several of Toronto's top prospects.
Ramirez is a switch hitter with better stats against right-handed pitching, bringing the versatility Toronto's lineup needs. He's also played 81 games at third base this season, with a positive DRS, checking nearly every box Toronto could look for in an impact bat.
The Blue Jays management has familiarity with Ramirez and the Cleveland organization, and have recently talked a big prospect swap with the soon-to-be Guardians during the winter for the Francisco Lindor. Cleveland opted for the near MLB talent from the Mets for Lindor, but with seven prospects in Baseball America's newest Top 100 list, the Blue Jays have the bullets to pull off this major move.
Mitch Bannon is a baseball reporter for Sports Illustrated covering the Toronto Blue Jays and their minor league affiliates.Twitter: @MitchBannon