Blue Jays Ace Could Be Top Trade Option; Could Yankees Do Surprising Deal?

Should the Yankees consider a surprising deal with the rival Blue Jays?

Mar 6, 2021; Dunedin, Florida, USA; A detailed view of the Toronto Blue Jays logo on a building at TD Ballpark during the spring training game between the Toronto Blue Jays and the Philadelphia Phillies. Mandatory Credit: Jasen Vinlove-USA TODAY Sports / Jasen Vinlove-USA TODAY Sports

The New York Yankees already are in a significantly better spot than most other Major League Baseball teams right now.

New York just keeps winning and is tied with the Philadelphia Phillies for the best record in baseball at 44-19. The Yankees have won seven games in a row and eight of their last 10.

All in all, New York fans certainly should be excited about the club right now. The Yankees haven't won a World Series title since 2009 but they have a real chance to do so this year.

Because of this fact, they likely will be busy around the trade deadline looking at any option to bolster the roster. The Yankees' starting rotation has been fantastic so far this season, but it couldn't hurt to add another frontline starter down the stretch as a contingency just in case injuries pop up.

One player who could make some sense is Toronto Blue Jays ace Yusei Kikuchi. Bleacher Report's Kerry Miller compiled a list of the top players who could be dealt this summer and had Kikuchi at No. 22.

"Kikuchi was roughed up a bit in his two most recent starts against Detroit and Pittsburgh, causing his ERA to balloon by more than a full run," Miller said. "But he has done an impressive job of controlling what he can, boasting a K/BB ratio of 4.64 while allowing just 0.81 HR/9. Improving in both of those departments last season is what finally got his career ERA down below 5.00. Improving further in both departments this season should make him one of the most coveted two-month-rental starting pitchers."

The veteran starter will be a free agent at the end of the season and Toronto has struggled this season so it wouldn't be surprising to see him get moved. Because he will be a free agent, the price tag likely won't be extremely high.

New York seems to be set in the rotation right now, but anything could happen over the next two months. Adding someone like Kikuchi only could help down the stretch as the Yankees look to make a deep postseason run.

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