MLB Rumors: Blue Jays Going Hard After Starter In Trade Market

With the season-ending surgery coming for starting pitcher Hyun-Jin Ryu, the Toronto Blue Jays have an opening in the rotation. Sure, for now, Ross Stripling has been filling in spectacularly. But he hasn't pitched more than 101 innings in a season since 2018. 

Ross Stripling is pitching very well right now, however, he has a career 4.06 ERA over 87 career starts.

In order to win the division we need to field our best team, which, in my view, is with Stripling as the long man & adding a starter at the deadline #BlueJays #NextLevel pic.twitter.com/N0bOnUbC2O

— Scott BlueJaysAlways (@BluejaysAlways) June 14, 2022

General manager Ross Atkins knows that the Jays have to bring in some help. 

“We have to consider deadline opportunities and just trade acquisitions that could bolster our depth there," admitted Ross. 

Because the Jays already have a top-line Front Three, with Alek Manoah and Kevin Gausman providing a phenomenal 1-2 punch, followed by Jose Berrios in the 3-spot, they don't necessarily need a front-of-the-rotation starter. Just someone who can slot in at #4 or #5. 

And that matches up with the fact that the pickings might be slim for impact arms. "Generally speaking, the trade market for starting pitching will be relatively thin,” said ESPN's MLB Insider Buster Olney. 

He does believe there are a few lower-end starters the Jays could be targeting, however. Kyle Hendricks and Drew Smyly of the Chicago Cubs fit the bill, as does Kyle Gibson of the Philadelphia Phillies. 

And if the Blue Jays want to shoot for the stars, Olney does feel that they could be a good trade partner for the Oakland A's and their ace Frankie Montas. We know that these teams have made several deals in recent years. 

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