Jose Berrios: Blue Jays Trade Fit?

Minnesota Twins starter Jose Berrios is a "name to watch" for the Blue Jays, per Jon Morosi

Mitch Bannon | May 19, 2021

David Berding-USA TODAY Sports

The Toronto Blue Jays could be a trade fit for Minnesota Twins starter Jose Berrios, according to MLB Network's Jon Morosi.

The Twins currently own the American League's worst record, 14-26, and are over 10 games back of their division. While many Minnesota players are slumping, Berrios is producing near his career norms. Through eight starts the right-handed starter has a 3.74 ERA and is striking out nearly 10 batters per nine.

The Toronto Blue Jays have the fifth-best ERA in the American League, and don't appear as a team currently desperate for pitching help. They have Hyun Jin Ryu, Robbie Ray, Steven Matz, and several top pitching prospects pushing the ceiling of Triple-A. But with pitching injuries plaguing Toronto and the entire league, a pitcher of Berrios' calibre would slot in behind Ryu in the rotation to solidify the pitching staff as a strength.

In a recent press conference, Blue Jays General Manager Ross Atkins identified starting pitching as an area his club could improve, alongside a more left-handed hitting approach.

José Berríos is one name to watch as a trade fit for the #BlueJays, as I just mentioned on #MLBCentral. When a team has the worst record in the AL, as the #Twins do, it’s hard to say any players are off limits. @MLBNetwork
— Jon Morosi (@jonmorosi) May 19, 2021

If the Minnesota Twins stay in the basement of the AL, there are sure to be inquiries on some of their top Major League assets. Pitchers J.A. Happ and Matt Shoemaker are pending free agents, as are hitters Andrelton Simmons and Nelson Cruz.

With over a year of team control, Berrios would be Minnesota's highest priced trade piece. The Blue Jays, with eight prospects ranking inside Baseball America's Top 100, will have the means to acquire a player of Berrios' value, if Atkins and company choose to splash at the deadline once again.

The Jays made four moves at the 2020 deadline and have been linked with San Francisco Giants starter Kevin Gausman and Cincinnati Reds ace Luis Castillo already this year. There are still 43 days until the 2021 MLB Trade Deadline, but this Toronto front office has shown they are willing to add to a team that has earned it.

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