In a recent 10-game winning streak, the Toronto Blue Jays showed why they should be taken seriously as American League contenders.
The resurgence of former All-Stars George Springer, Bo Bichette, Alejandro Kirk and the progression of sweet-swinging lefties Addison Barger and Nathan Lukes have created one of the deepest lineups in baseball, one that averaged 6.6 runs per game during the streak. The bullpen has also hit its stride with Jeff Hoffman finally recapturing his Philadelphia Phillies form and Brayden Fisher, Yariel Rodriguez, and Brandon Little emerging as trustworthy set-up men.
Yet while the bullpen and offense have been simply dominant since the calendar flipped to June, the starting rotation continues to be merely passable. The veteran combination of Kevin Gausman, José Berrios and Chris Bassitt has yet to miss a turn in the rotation, but only Berrios has posted an ERA below 4.10, and even that comes with the caveat of his highest full-season walk rate since 2016. Max Scherzer has yet to work into the sixth inning in any of his four starts, and while Eric Lauer has posted a shocking 2.78 ERA, you have to wonder how long a 30-year-old journeyman with a 91 miles per hour fastball can sustain that kind of success.
While this collection of arms is far from disastrous, it would look a lot better if there were a true ace anchoring the rotation. As the trade deadline approaches and the Blue Jays gear up for a run at October, the need for a true Game One starter has come into larger focus. And while the available options may be limited, The Athletic’s Jim Bowden expressed his approval for one fan’s proposal that sends top prospects Trey Yesavage and Arjun Nimmala to the Minnesota Twins for ace Joe Ryan.
“This a trade idea that I love for both sides. The Blue Jays get a top-of-the-rotation starter who puts them in strong position as favorites to win the AL East, with a real chance of winning a world championship,” Bowden wrote. “To get something you have to give up something, and Nimmala and Yesavage represent the type of prospect package it would take to land Ryan.”
This trade would be among the boldest in Blue Jays history, as it would cost the Blue Jays their last two first-round picks who also happen to be the two highest-ranked prospects in their system. Nimmala was the first to enter the Blue Jays system, getting drafted 20th overall as a 17-year-old in 2023, and has steadily climbed through the ranks despite being younger than almost every opposing pitcher he faces. Yesavage entered the system a year later as a polished six-foot-four-inch right-hander and has already progressed to Double-A after striking out 88 batters in just 50 A-ball innings.
As difficult as it would be to part with these two players, there are a few reasons why this trade could make sense. Nimmala is still years away from the major leagues, having spent the entire season in High-A, and could be blocked from his natural position if the Blue Jays are able to extend Bo Bichette. Yesavage, meanwhile, has taken his lumps in Double-A with a 6.35 ERA through his first five starts, a sign that his low-to-mid 90’s fastball may not play as well against advanced competition despite his uniquely high release point.
Most importantly, these two players could be what it takes to pry Ryan away from the Twins, who is under contract through 2027 and is one of the few aces even theoretically available this summer. Though injuries and home run issues have plagued Ryan through his five-year career, he has consistently possessed one of the best strikeout-to-walk ratios in baseball, thanks to a fastball that plays well above its middling velocity and a deep array of plus breaking pitches. Ryan is currently in the midst of his best season yet, posting a 2.76 ERA and earning his first All-Star appearance.
Though Nammala and Yesavage could one day turn into big-league stars, the idea of adding Ryan to a veteran team that is clicking on all cylinders may be too good for the Blue Jays to pass up.
More MLB: MLB insider explains how Orioles can use trade deadline to revamp for 2026