TRADE: Blue Jays Acquire Big-Time Help For Ailing Bullpen

With the Toronto Blue Jays suffering a big blow having to place closer Jordan Romano on the injured list, they went out and got the best relief arm on the trade market—and the next best Jordan available—acquiring Jordan Hicks from the St. Louis Cardinals. 

OFFICIAL: We’ve acquired RHP Jordan Hicks from the Cardinals in exchange for Minor League RHPs Sem Robberse and Adam Kloffenstein.

Welcome to the fam, @Jhicks007! pic.twitter.com/UceLI1J2sL

— Toronto Blue Jays (@BlueJays) July 30, 2023

In return, the Jays send minor league RHPs Sem Robberse and Adam Kloffenstein to St. Louis. 

The flamethrowing Hicks was actually said to be in negotiations on an extension in St. Louis this past week, but the two sides obviously couldn't come to terms. 

Jon Heyman reports that Toronto beat out the Texas Rangers, Arizona Diamondbacks, Tampa Bay Rays and LA Dodgers to win the Hicks sweepstakes.

The 26-year-old has struck out 12.7 batters per nine innings this season, with 8 saves and a 3.67 ERA. He took over the closer's role for the Cards in mid-June and has been lights out. He also had the job for a time in 2019 when he saved 14 games. 

When Romano comes back off the IL, Toronto will have one of the best 1-2 punches at the back end of a bullpen in the league. In addition, elite late-inning arm Chad Green should be returning from the IL to help boster the 'pen even further down the stretch. 

 Photo: Gary A. Vasquez-USA TODAY Sports