Matthew Lenz

Max Scherzer looked great in Wednesday's game at Triple-A Buffalo. Through 4 1/3 innings the Blue Jays starting pitcher struck out eight batters in 75 pitches, including striking out the side in the second inning. According to Keegan Matheson of MLB.com, "If he can still give the Blue Jays a thumbs up in the morning without wincing, he’s expected to make his next start in the big leagues..." It's a welcome sight for the Blue Jays who have dealt with a variety of injuries on their pitching staff. Scherzer looked great in his first two starts with the team before his thumb began giving him issues. View full rumor

With the July 31 trade deadline looming on the horizon, urgency will begin to mount for many Major League Baseball teams. While some clubs are firmly entrenched in playoff contention and will be looking to bolster their rosters, there is a distinct group already facing the reality of a lost season. So, who are the likely sellers from the National League? What valuable assets might they put on the market, and how could the Toronto Blue Jays leverage these opportunities to their advantage? Let's delve into the teams poised to ignite the hot stove and their potential impact on the Blue Jays’ playoff aspirations. Colorado Rockies The Rockies are on pace for all sorts of records - and not in a good way. They are currently on pace to win 32 games, which is nine fewer than the 2024 Chicago White Sox. The Rockies don't have much in the form of rentals, with starters Germán Márquez (6.62 ERA) and Austin Gomber (just returned from a shoulder injury) their only players on expiring deals, but that's not to say they don't have trade chips. Most notably, I anticipate many teams will be calling about starter Kyle Freeland (controlled through 2026) and third baseman Ryan McMahon (controlled through 2027). Freeland’s surface numbers are heavily inflated by pitching in Coors. On the road, the lefty has a 3.64 ERA (3.31 FIP) and a 14.6% strikeout minus walk rate (K-BB%). In regard to McMahon, Bob Nightengale of USA Today has reported that the Los Angeles Dodgers and Chicago Cubs have already shown interest in the 30-year-old. Like Freeland, McMahon’s surface stats are also impacted by Coors; his overall .739 OPS drops by nearly 200 points on the road. Other less notable names that could be available are infielders Thairo Estrada and Kyle Farmer, who both have mutual options for 2026. Miami Marlins The Marlins are 13 games under .500 and well outside of the playoff picture. However, they are the youngest team in Major League Baseball, which makes it a challenge to know how much they're willing to sell. Kyle Stowers, Connor Norby, and Agustín Ramírez have all been great, but they're also in their pre-arbitration years. Would the rebuilding Marlins really sell what looks to be a solid core of hitters? I doubt it. On the other hand, starting pitchers Cal Quantrill (a free agent at season's end) and Sandy Alcantara (controllable through 2026) could be attractive “buy low” options at the deadline. Quantrill has an ERA minus FIP of 1.27, and Alcantara, a former Cy Young Award winner, has underperformed his FIP by 2.43 runs. However, both have well-below-average strikeout minus walk rates, suggesting their upside might be limited without some tweaking of their pitch profiles. The Marlins have gotten some good production out of their bullpen from guys like Ronny Henriquez, Janson Junk, and Patrick Monteverde. While these guys are controllable, it would make sense for the Marlins to listen to offers on any relievers. Pittsburgh Pirates The Pirates are in a race for second worst team in the NL with the Marlins. There's been (mostly sarcastic) speculation that they may trade starter Paul Skenes, but I don't think they will do that – for now. Instead, they have a few assets who will likely have a market over the next month and a half. There have already been rumors floating around regarding infielder Isiah Kiner-Falefa, who has a satisfactory (but empty) .690 OPS. Other solid players on expiring deals include outfielders Andrew McCutchen and Tommy Pham, as well as starter Andrew Heaney and reliever Ryan Borucki. Aside from Borucki, whose peripherals suggest some positive regression is coming, all those players have been more than serviceable this season. However, Pittsburgh's most valuable realistic trade chip is current closer David Bednar, who is controlled through the 2026 season. In 20 appearances, the righty has a 3.42 ERA, 2.14 FIP, and a 29.2% strikeout minus walk rate. He may end up being the most sought-after reliever on the market. Blue Jays Needs The Blue Jays are firmly in contention for both the AL East and a Wild Card spot. While their bullpen has been among the league's best, the starting rotation is a clear weakness. Since losing Max Scherzer a few games into the season, the rotation has plummeted to the bottom third of the league in several key statistical categories. Though Trey Yesavage might be ready for a look later on in 2025, the Blue Jays lack significant reinforcements beyond Scherzer's eventual return. While offensive upgrades are needed — the Jays rank 13th in MLB in OPS and could perhaps use help in the outfield — bolstering the rotation should be the top priority. Each of the Rockies, Marlins, and Pirates has arms that the Blue Jays could pursue, but does Toronto have the assets to make a move? The Blue Jays' playoff run likely hinges on whether or not they add a quality starting pitcher. While Yesavage offers future potential, and Scherzer is nearing a return, this team needs immediate help. Their bullpen is elite, and the offense is solid, but they need another starter. The question will be whether they have enough trade assets to acquire an arm from a team like the Rockies, Marlins, or Pirates, especially with so many other teams also looking for pitching. How the Blue Jays navigate this crucial period will determine their contention status. How aggressive should the Blue Jays be at the deadline? Join the conversation in the comments! View full article

While we are still about a month and a half away from the trade deadline, it's starting to get late early for some teams across Major League Baseball. With the trade deadline set for July 31, we are roughly a month away from the hot stove reaching its inferno. However, there are a handful of teams that we can pretty confidently say are going to be sellers around the deadline. Who are they, what do they have to offer, and how could the Toronto Blue Jays benefit? Let's dive in. Chicago White Sox The White Sox are 12 games below .500 and 13 games out of the playoff spot. They acknowledged a multi-year rebuild over the off-season, so it shouldn't be surprising that they are sellers once again. Potential rentals include outfielders Michael A. Taylor and Austin Slater as well as recently acquired starter Aaron Civale. Otherwise, intriguing players who are controlled beyond 2025 include infielder Josh Rojas and outfielder Mike Tauchman. However, it’s more realistic that teams aggressively kick the tires on outfielder Luis Robert Jr., who has been the subject of trade speculation for a while now. Robert Jr. signed a pre-arbitration extension that included $20 million in team options for 2026 and 2027, which can be bought out for $2 million. Once a top prospect in baseball, the 28-year-old has had a hard time staying healthy throughout his career and has struggled at the plate over the last two seasons. Athletics The Athletics are in a free fall ever since they started their season 22-20. In their last 28 games they have just four wins. While they are a young team with some exciting talent, they're obviously not ready yet and have a handful of rentals that teams could kick the tires on. Most notably are utility players Miguel Andujar and Luis Urias who have both produced above average at the plate this season. Third baseman Gio Urshela is more than two years removed from his last productive season and has a mediocre glove at the hot corner, but could be an intriguing option to handle the short side of a platoon. On the mound, Jose Leclerc and T.J. McFarland are two potential reliever rentals, though Leclerc has been sidelined with a lat strain since April and McFarland has been plain bad. It seems likely that at least one of Andujar, Urias, or Urshela are traded ahead of the deadline. Baltimore Orioles Injuries aside, it's still pretty shocking to see the Orioles struggling this much. After winning 91 games and earning a playoff berth in 2024, they are currently 13 games below .500 and 8.5 games out of a playoff spot. The difference here is that the Orioles are not in the midst of a rebuild, so it's likely they limit their moves to players on expiring deals. Those names include: pitchers Zach Eflin, Charlie Morton, Tomoyuki Sugano, and Gregory Soto as well as outfielder Cedric Mullins. Of those players, Eflin, Sugano, and Soro are having successful seasons on the mound and will draw significant trade interest. However, two names that have been the subject of trade rumors but are controllable beyond 2025 are first baseman Ryan Mountcastle and outfielder Heston Kjerstad. Mountcastle, who will miss the next 8-12 weeks with a hamstring strain, is having a down year with a .628 OPS and two home runs. Kjerstad, who was recently optioned to Triple-A Norfolk, has also struggled this season but has often found himself as the odd man out of a stacked group of young talent. Blue Jays Needs The Blue Jays are in the thick of it in both the AL East and Wild Card. While they have one of the best bullpens in the league, they need help in the rotation. After losing Max Scherzer a month into the season, the Blue Jays rotation ranks in the bottom third of the league in many categories. While Trey Yesavage may be ready for an opportunity late in 2025, the Blue Jays don't have much coming in reinforcements behind the return of Scherzer. Yes, they have needs on the offensive side of the ball but they need to prioritize bolstering their rotation. Speaking of the offensive side, they are solid overall ranking eighth in the big-leagues in OPS. They would benefit from upgrading their outfield and second base. The Orioles could be a one stop shop for the Blue Jays, but it's hard to see them trade within the division. It seems they could be competing for some of the same arms their division foe, Boston Red Sox, will be pursuing. What would you prioritize if you were in the Blue Jays front office? Join the conversation in the comments! View full article

Earlier this week, the Milwaukee Brewers moved starter Aaron Civale to the bullpen in favor of top prospect Jacob Misiorowski. The move has prompted the 30-year-old right hander to request a trade from the Brewers in hopes of remaining a starter with another team, according to Ken, Rosenthal and Will Sammon of The Athletic. In five starts his season, Civale has a 4.29 ERA (4.30 FIP) and a mediocre 15.2% strikeout minus walk rate. He's been particularly susceptible to the long ball this season as he's given up five home runs across 22 innings pitched. Civale is making $8 million this season, which will be prorated based on his service time this season, and will be entering free agency at seasons end. He'd be a plenty serviceable arm for a Toronto Blue Jays rotation that has dealt with injuries this year, most notably to Max Scherzer. For more information on Civale, check out this articles related to the news on our sister site, Brewer Fanatic. Do you think the Blue Jays should kick the tires on Civale? Join the conversation in the comments! View full rumor

Baseball America has released their latest version of the Top 100 prospects in all of baseball. While the Toronto Blue Jays didn't have any players added to the list, they did have three players improve upon their previous rankings. Trey Yesavage jumped from #98 to #89, Ricky Tiedemann from #95 to #92, and Arjun Nimmala from #58 to #41. It's not noted how many prospects graduated from the May version of the rankings. Yesavage has dominated Hi-A Vancouver in 10 starts posting a 2.17 ERA and a 34.4 K-BB rate. Nimmala is at the same level and experiencing similar success with a .902 OPS with nine home runs and five stolen bases. Tiedmann is recovering from Tommy John surgery and is expected to come back sometime in 2025. When do you think Yesavage and/or Nimmala will be promoted to Double-A New Hampshire? Join the conversation in the comments! View full rumor

After the Toronto Blue Jays formalized their extension with Vladimir Guerrero Jr. earlier this week, it became unclear whether the team would be able to do the same with Bo Bichette. The 27-year-old shortstop is currently set to hit free agency at season's end and, despite an injury plagued 2024 that sapped his power, is expected to be one of the top commodities of the upcoming free agent class. On Wednesday, the Blue Jays General Manager provided some clarity via Hazel Mae of Sportsnet. This was something that was echoed by Bichette himself last season stating in part, "...my ultimate goal really is to play with Vladdy (Guerrero Jr.) forever, to win a championship with him and to do that with this organization..." Bichette has been one of the pillars for thr Blue Jays since playing in 159 games in 2021 after partial seasons in 2019 and 2020. He has a career .776 OPS with 93 home runs, 56 stolen bases, and plus defense at one the game's most premium positions. His success and popularity has garnered him two All-Star nods as well as MVP votes in three seasons. Do you think the Blue Jays should lock up Bichette ASAP or let him test free agency at season's end? View full rumor

MLB Insider and Broadcaster Mike Rodriguez is reporting that the Toronto Blue Jays and Vladimir Guerrero Jr are "very close to finalizing a $500-million plus extension". It's been a roller coaster of an offseason for the Jays and their star corner infielder, but it looks like the ride is about to come to an end in the form of an extension. In his first seven games of the season, the slugger is slashing .222/.290/.333 with no home runs, three runs scored, and three runs batted in. View full rumor

Alden González of ESPN is reporting that Vladimir Guerrero Jr.'s asking price was "much less" than the asking price of Juan Soto who netted a $765 million deal from the New York Mets earlier this offseason. This news comes two weeks after the deadline that Vlad Jr.'s camp established came and went without a deal. The 26-year-old now anticipates that he will reach free agency next year, according to ESPN's Jeff Passan. The most recent report adds that the ask was for the same number of years as Soto's contract (14) but that the total salary didn't reach $600 million. Despite a very good bounce back campaign in 2024 that saw the slugger carry a .940 OPS with 30 home runs and 103 RBI's across 159 games, the Blue Jays may be smart to stand their ground. Not because Vlad's 2024 production is sustainable or repeatable, but because of Pete Alonso's 2024 free agent experience. The market for Alonso never really got "hot" relative to his level of production, which led to the masher going back to the Mets on a two-year, $54 million deal. Of course, he's four years older than Vlad Jr., but it still holds to reason that he Blue Jays might be better off seeing how his market plays out next offseason. Do you think Vlad's ask is too much or should the Blue Jays have signed him? View full rumor

We have more developments this morning related to the Toronto Blue Jays offseason. Yesterday, Bob Nightengale of USA Today said that the Jays are "still interested" in Pete Alonso. Now, Héctor Gómez is reporting that they have a three-year offer out to him and a six-year offer out to Alex Bregman. The fit would be interesting if both players were to accept. Adding Alonso would push Vladimir Guerrero Jr over to the hot corner. Alex Bregman has stated that he is open to playing second base, but the Jays have newly acquired Andrés Giménez at the Keystone. As of now, Will Wagner is penciled in as the teams designed hitter, but he projects to be more of a bench bat than a full-time player. If Alonso and Bregman were to accept their respective deals, they could theoretically play a game of musical chairs at DH. While it would be interesting to see how that works out, it's a no brainer to add both if the Jays can pull that off. View full rumor

After the Toronto Blue Jays made a bit of a splash yesterday, Bob Nightengale of USA Today was quick to report that they are still interested in firsts baseman slugger Pete Alonso. Rumors from a week ago suggested that talks between the two parties were "advancing", but since then we haven't heard much of anything on how the talks were progressing. In fact, Nightengale more recently said Alonso returning to the New York Mets "seems almost inevitable." From an earlier rumor we posted: Alonso is open to a short-term deal as long as it includes opt outs and exceeds $23 million per year. How far north of $23 million Alonso and company want has not been made clear to this point, but MLB Trade Rumors suggest that the front loaded $80 million that Cody Bellinger received is the low bar to obtain Alonso's services. View full rumor

Pat Ragazzo of Sports Illustrated recently reported that Max Scherzer threw in front of many teams, including the Toronto Blue Jays, both teams out of New York City, Los Angeles Dodgers, Philadelphia Phillies, Atlanta Braves, Chicago Cubs, and Boston Red Sox. Notably, of that entire group, the Blue Jays are the only team mentioned to be "in contact" with the future Hall of Famer. Scherzer, who is now 40-years-old, threw less than 60 innings at the Triple-A and Major League levels in 2024. Although he fared fairly well in nine starts with the Rangers, it was spread across three different timeframes. He didn't debut until June 23rd due to an offseason surgery to fix a herniated disc in his back, then made his way back to the IL after eight starts due to right shoulder fatigue before being put back on the IL after just one start due to a left hamstring strain. After missing out on Roku Sasaki, the Blue Jays are still trying to bolster their rotation and Scherzer represents a good buy-low option despite a rough 2024. Do you think the Jays should take a chance on the three time Cy Young Award winner? View full rumor

It was reported earlier that the Blue Jays were interested in acquiring Astros' reliever Ryan Pressly ($$). Now it's being reported that Pressly, who has a no-trade clause, will not waive for a team on either coast. This effectively eliminates the Blue Jays from acquiring two-time All Star. This news comes roughly a week after losing out on the Tanner Scott sweepstakes and, as of right now, the team hasn't been tied to any other reliever via trade or on the open market. From the perspective of the bullpen, this has been a disappointing offseason for the Jays who had arguably the worst relief corpse in baseball a year ago. While it's encouraging to hear them getting involved in high end relievers, it means very little if they can't close the deal. Who should they target next whether it be via free agency or trade? View full rumor