Evaluating trade options for struggling but talented Blue Jays team - Sportsnet.caBut counting on that kind of resurgence from a pitcher who’s averaging one home run allowed for every nine hitters he faces is beyond dangerous, which is why the Blue Jays are also exploring the market for higher-tier relievers. From the outside looking in, Richard Rodriguez of the Pirates, Paul Fry of the Orioles, Kendall Graveman of the Mariners, Ian Kennedy of the Rangers and Ross Detwiler of the Marlins would all appear to be upgrades.
Yet non-contending teams have so far maintained high asking prices for the veteran relievers on their rosters, according to sources. And until the July 31 deadline draws closer, there’s little reason for them to move off that stance. With that in mind, bounce-back candidates like Barnes and internal options like Patrick Murphy and Tayler Saucedo are the ones getting chances for now.
Eventually, it’s the job of the front office to make the most of this promising young core, high asking prices or not. Ultimately the goal is winning playoff berths and championships – not coming out ahead in every last trade.
But even if other teams might ask about Jordan Groshans or Nate Pearson, that doesn’t mean the Blue Jays will have to overpay. In fact, their own recent history at the deadline suggests veteran relievers should eventually be available for more modest prospect returns.
Consider the following trades, which included fringe pitching prospects performing well at the upper minors, low-level fliers and, in Forrest Wall, a former top prospect who had fallen on hard times…
• Joe Smith, 2017 – for Thomas Pannone, AA starter; Samad Taylor, rookie ball infielder
• Aaron Loup, 2018 – for Jacob Waguespack, AAA starter
• John Axford, 2018 – for Corey Copping, AAA reliever
• Seunghwan Oh, 2018 – for Forrest Wall, AA outfielder; Chad Spanberger Class A first baseman
• David Phelps, 2019 – for Thomas Hatch, AA starter
• Daniel Hudson, 2019 – for Kyle Johnston, A+ starter
If those trades hint at what’s to come, the Blue Jays won’t need to part with their top-rated prospects to add veterans to the bullpen. Applying that same logic to the Blue Jays’ current system, triple-A players like Zach Logue, Kevin Smith and Logan Warmoth appear to be more reasonable trade targets for non-contenders in the weeks ahead.
Yet regardless of what happens in the bullpen, there are other needs to consider in the weeks ahead. The starting pitching market currently looks weak, and as long as the Blue Jays hover near the .500 mark, it’s hard to see them parting with top prospects for rentals there, either.
