The Toronto Blue Jays have a few huge weeks lying ahead.
At 43-37, the Blue Jays are sitting in a playoff spot. But they've got a huge group of teams lingering just behind them in the American League Wild Card race--including the Boston Red Sox, who they play this weekend.
All season, the Blue Jays have hoped they could prove to ownership and the front office that they're contenders who deserve reinforcements at the trade deadline. They're probably doing just barely enough to win that case.
So who will the Blue Jays go after if they do become buyers?
Sports Illustrated's Nick Selbe and Will Laws made a prediction on Friday: Toronto would acquire Washington Nationals reliever Kyle Finnegan, a 2024 All-Star who is pitching on just a one-year, $6 million contract.
"The Nationals righthander wouldn’t close for most contenders considering his mediocre strikeout rate and career 3.51 ERA, but he’s nonetheless racked up 106 saves over the past five seasons and could at least fill a setup role for a better team than Washington," the writers said.
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"The Nats have little incentive to keep their 2024 All-Star past the deadline given his pending free agency, so Finnegan seems like a lock to change addresses by the time the calendar turns to August."
The 33-year-old Finnegan owns a 2.89 ERA, which would be a new career-best, and 18 saves. On the Blue Jays, Finnegan would probably slot in as the setup man ahead of closer Jeff Hoffman.
Finnegan wouldn't be a big financial investment, but one would have to imagine the Jays would be asked to surrender at least a decent prospect package to get him. Still, if they're going after a title, they've got to be able to make some key additions.
More MLB: Dodgers predicted to acquire Cy Young Award winner in deadline blockbuster