The Toronto Blue Jays are atop the AL East and will be buyers ahead of the July 31 Major League Baseball trade deadline.
The Blue Jays have a couple of needs, as Toronto will look to add a starter and bullpen help, but have also been linked to adding a bat. Blue Jays analyst Matthew Spagnuolo of BlueJaysNation links Toronto to acquiring veteran utility player Amed Rosario from the Washington Nationals.
“Amed Rosario may not be the flashiest name on the market, but he brings valuable versatility and experience,” Spganuolo wrote. “Once a highly regarded prospect and a key part of the Francisco Lindor trade between the Mets and Guardians in 2020, Rosario has since bounced around the league. Now, with the Nationals—his fifth team in three seasons—Rosario has found some stability… Rosario won’t change the game on his own, but his ability to play multiple infield positions makes him a great bench option.
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“His production could provide insurance while players return from injury and contribute in key late-game scenarios,” Spagnuolo added. “The Nationals could package Rosario in a deal — potentially with a reliever like Brendon Finnegan or right-hander Michael Soroka — to address Toronto’s bullpen depth as well.”
Rosario is earning $2 million this season and is a pending free agent, so the cost to acquire him wouldn’t be too high. He would be a bench bat who can play all over the field and give Blue Jays’ manager John Schneider some more options while constructing his lineup.
Rosario is hitting .273 with 5 home runs and 17 RBIs. He can play second base, shortstop, and the outfield.
Toronto is set to open a pivotal three-game series at home against the New York Yankees on July 21.
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