Blue Jays Have Discussed Phil Maton Trade With Cardinals

According to Derrick Goold of the St. Louis Post-Dispatch, right-handed reliever Phil Maton remains a top trade candidate with hours to go before this evening's deadline. Goold writes that "talks involving" Maton continued late into the night yesterday and names the Blue Jays as one team involved in those discussions. 

The Blue Jays had been linked to former Cardinals closer Ryan Helsley before the Mets acquired his services on Wednesday. Meanwhile, I suggested earlier this week that former Blue Jay (and now former Cardinal) Steven Matz would be a great trade target for Toronto, but he has since become the newest member of the Red Sox. That leaves Maton as the top trade chip left in St. Louis's bullpen. 

So, could the Jays strike a deal to bring Maton to Toronto? The righty might not be a Helsley or Jhoan Duran-level acquisition, but he has a 2.35 ERA and 2.55 xERA in 40 games this year and a 3.10 ERA in 179 appearances over the past three seasons. There is little doubt he would improve the Jays' bullpen, and it's no secret that Ross Atkins is looking to do exactly that ahead of the deadline.

Should the Blue Jays try to strike a deal with the Cardinals for Phil Maton? Or is there another bullpen arm you'd rather they target? Join the conversation in our comments section.

Featured image courtesy of Jerome Miron, Imagn Images.