The Toronto Blue Jays have to grab the bull by the horns at the trade deadline.
Thanks to their recent surge, the Blue Jays have climbed into first place in the American League East. But the New York Yankees are eager for revenge after losing their throne, and the Boston Red Sox have been even hotter of late, climbing within three games of the lead.
That means the Blue Jays have every incentive to add at the deadline, and add big. The starting rotation, in particular, looks as though it could use reinforcements, as José Berríos is the only qualified starter on the team to hold an ERA under four.
One baseball writer thinks the Blue Jays are the best possible trade fit for a very reliable veteran.
Bleacher Report's Joel Reuter wrote a trade deadline preview on Friday, and listed the Blue Jays as the top landing spot for Arizona Diamondbacks impending free agent Merrill Kelly.
"In the final season of a three-year, $24 million deal, Kelly has again been a reliable workhorse starter, going 8-5 with a 3.34 ERA, 1.05 WHIP and 113 strikeouts in 116 innings. The 36-year-old was a standout during the 2023 postseason, going 3-1 with a 2.25 ERA, 0.83 WHIP and 28 strikeouts in 24 innings," wrote Reuter.
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"The Blue Jays rank 25th in the majors with a 4.60 ERA from their starting rotation, and while Max Scherzer is back healthy, they continue to look for consistency behind the veteran trio of José Berríos, Kevin Gausman and Chris Bassitt."
Kelly would be a great get for the Blue Jays, and day after day, it seems like the D-backs are likelier to sell. They could even trade Kelly for some prospects and re-sign him in free agency this winter.
But the Blue Jays wouldn't be the only team interested, so if Kelly is the guy they want, they'll have to push their chips to the center.
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