Trading For This One Thing 'Would Change Everything' For Blue Jays

The Toronto Blue Jays now appear to be the team to beat in the American League East. Many pundits feel they're looking for another starting pitcher and/or reliever to bolster the team down the stretch.

But for one really big, blockbuster move, one beat writer for the club is calling for a different type of trade. One that "would change everything" for their everyday lineup.

Keegan Matheson of mlb.com appeared on TSN's Overdrive on Monday and had this to say about the trade deadline plans he feels the Jays should be looking at:

If there's a big splash to be made for a leadoff hitter, that really changes the entire look of this lineup, that's gotta be attractive... If they would be able to find a true, legitimate No. 1 leadoff guy, that would change everything in this lineup.

Matheson admits that Ernie Clement and Nathan Lukes have been "making it work" atop the lineup, but they should be aiming higher, he says.

The Jays are currently 14th in baseball in OPS out of their leadoff spot, while they sit 16th in on-base percentage from the top of the order.

Of course, the big name that could be on the trade market that fits that description is Steven Kwan of the Cleveland Guardians.

"He's kind of like a souped-up version of all these players the Blue Jays have rolling right now... If (GM) Ross Atkins has a Steven Kwan poster in his office already, I would not be surprised."

He's a three-time Gold Glover in the outfield, with speed and not a lot of power. As Matheson mentioned: a Ross Atkins type of player.

But Kwan still has two years of team control remaining after this one, and after batting over .290 in two of his first three years in the big leagues, and sitting at .285 with an on-base of .345 and his second straight All-Star season in 2025, it would be a costly trade for Toronto (or any other team).

Still, one could certainly see Atkins and Mark Shapiro reaching back to their old stomping grounds in Cleveland to try and make that happen.