The Toronto Blue Jays have a clear need to add to their rotation and are expected to add at least one pitcher before the trade deadline.
Major League Baseball insiders Kiley McDaniel and Jeff Passan link the Blue Jays as potential landing spots for Arizona Diamondbacks starters Zac Gallen and Merrill Kelly.
"Diamondbacks general manager Mike Hazen said the team does not plan to deal away players at the deadline, but if Arizona doesn't make a run, it could reap a huge return with all of its impending free agents,” the article read.
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Gallen is set to be a pending free agent as he’s earning $13.5 million this season. The right-hander has gotten off to a slow start in 2025, as he’s 5-8 with a 5.60 ERA in 16 starts this season. However, the right-hander has had a sub-3.70 ERA in each of the last three seasons and could be a middle-of-the-rotation arm for the Blue Jays' playoff push.
Kelly, meanwhile, is also a pending free agent as he’s earning $7 million this season. The right-hander is 7-3 with a 3.39 ERA in 16 starts.
The Blue Jays' rotation has been a major need as Bowden Francis has struggled while Max Scherzer has dealt with injuries, as Toronto will look to add one, if not two starters before the trade deadline.
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