The Blue Jays’ Biggest Deadline Need Could Cause a Logjam

What a difference a year makes.

This time last season, the Toronto Blue Jays were preparing to offload assets after a disappointing first half. Fast forward to 2025, and the tone has completely flipped. With the team sitting atop the AL East at 54–39, General Manager Ross Atkins is firmly in buyer mode as the July 31 trade deadline approaches.

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A Surprising Surge Powered by Breakout Performances

Toronto’s success hasn’t just come from its stars. While Vladimir Guerrero Jr., George Springer, Kevin Gausman, Chris Bassitt, and Max Scherzer are the familiar names, the real story lies in the emergence of under-the-radar contributors.

Ernie Clement and Addison Barger have stepped up in a big way. Clement has been a steady presence, and Barger, a once-hyped prospect, is finally delivering on his promise, slugging his way into the hearts of Blue Jays fans.

Together, this mix of steady veterans and unexpected contributors has transformed Toronto into one of baseball’s most complete teams—and a legitimate postseason threat.

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What’s on Toronto’s Deadline Wish List?

Now that the Blue Jays are firmly in the mix among MLB’s top contenders, Ross Atkins is expected to bolster the roster for a stretch run. His priorities? Pitching depth and, potentially, a right-handed bat.

“Probably on the run-prevention side more from a depth standpoint,” Atkins told reporters last week, via MLB.com’s Keegan Matheson. “If we can score more, we’ll look to do that. Adding a right-handed hitter to our team is something we’ve been trying to do internally, and we have considered external alternatives as well. The run-prevention side is probably going to come from pitching with how good our defense has been.”

While the rotation appears full, there’s a reason the old baseball adage exists: You can never have too much pitching.

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The Rotation: Solid, But Not Without Questions

Toronto’s current rotation features Gausman, Bassitt, Scherzer, José Berríos, and Eric Lauer. On paper, that’s a formidable group. But under the surface, a few concerns linger.

• Max Scherzer, signed to a one-year, $15.5 million deal, made just one abbreviated start before a thumb injury derailed his debut. Though he’s back on the mound, his availability over the remainder of the season remains in question. At 40 years old, durability is not guaranteed.

• Eric Lauer has been a revelation. The lefty owns a 2.78 ERA and 1.04 WHIP over 14 games (eight starts). Still, skepticism remains due to his prior MLB track record—he carried a 4.30 ERA into the season. Even with strong peripherals (3.14 xERA, 3.38 FIP), it’s fair to wonder if regression is coming.

With questions surrounding both Scherzer and Lauer, adding an experienced, dependable arm makes sense.

Possible Trade Targets: Big Names in Play

According to ESPN’s Jeff Passan and Kiley McDaniel, the Blue Jays are viewed as strong fits for several of the top arms on the trade market.

Top names linked to Toronto include:

• Zac Gallen and Merrill Kelly (Diamondbacks)

• Luis Severino (Athletics)

• Mitch Keller (Pirates)

• Sandy Alcantara (Marlins)

Any of these pitchers would strengthen Toronto’s rotation and provide a safety net against injury or regression.

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Internal Help Could Also Be on the Way

Don’t forget Alek Manoah. The former Cy Young finalist is rehabbing from Tommy John surgery and nearing a spring training-style ramp-up. If all goes well, he could rejoin the roster in the second half, creating a potential logjam—but that’s the kind of problem every contending team wants.

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Final Thoughts

Toronto won’t be sneaking up on anyone anymore. With a strong record, a balanced roster, and legitimate World Series aspirations, the Blue Jays are all-in.

As the trade deadline nears, Atkins and his front office are expected to be aggressive, targeting impact arms and possibly another bat to round out an already impressive squad.

The Blue Jays have gone from sellers to serious buyers in just 12 months—and the rest of baseball is officially on notice.

The post The Blue Jays’ Biggest Deadline Need Could Cause a Logjam appeared first on Just Baseball.