2 trade deadline targets Blue Jays should start targeting to save their season

The 2026 MLB Trade Deadline is slowly getting closer, as it is only a little over two months away. While there is still a decent amount of time until the deadline, the Toronto Blue Jays should be working quickly to upgrade their roster.

The Blue Jays' start to the 2026 season has been less than ideal. They currently have a 23-27 record (going into Friday, May 22) and are third in the American League East standings. Due to this and their ongoing injury issues, the Blue Jays would be wise to make some moves soon as they aim to climb up the standings.

With June almost here, some notable names have been floating around the rumor mill. Two specific trade candidates who the Blue Jays should strongly consider targeting now are Robbie Ray and Sandy Alcantara.

Blue Jays' should consider reunion with Ray or a blockbuster for Alcantara to improve rotation

The San Francisco Giants already made it clear that they are going to be sellers this year when they traded catcher Patrick Bailey to the Cleveland Guardians earlier this month. With Ray being a pending free agent, questions about the 6-foot-2 lefty's future in San Francisco have come up often this season. The Blue Jays would be wise to make a push for him.

Ray is a pitcher that the Blue Jays already know well, as he pitched for them in 2020 and 2021. The Blue Jays' rotation needs a boost, and it would make a lot of sense for Toronto to target him. While the two-time All-Star has a 4.28 ERA in 10 appearances this season for the Giants (as of May 22), his past success makes him a prime bounce-back candidate. Perhaps a move back to Toronto, where he won the Cy Young in 2021, could help him heat back up.

But if the Blue Jays want to add an ace-caliber pitcher to their rotation, Alcantara is one of the best options available. With the Miami Marlins sporting a 22-29 record, Alcantara is a prime trade candidate to watch.

Alcantara is one of the game's top pitchers when performing at his best, as evidenced by his Cy Young Award win in 2022. The 6-foot-5 righty would be a major pickup for the front half of the Blue Jays' rotation if acquired because of it. In 11 starts this season, he has a 3-3 record, a 4.00 ERA, and 48 strikeouts. Alcantara was in a ton of rumored trade deals throughout the offseason as teams were certainly calling the Marlins about the possibility of taking the 30-year-old starter off the Marlins' books.

However, the Marlins pulled the trigger on another deal, sending fellow starter Edward Cabrera to the Cubs for three players including Canadian outfielder Owen Caissie. The Blue Jays likely have the assets to make a deal happen, no matter if the Marlins are looking for a similar package for Alcantara, or possibly even a little bit more, but whether Toronto is willing to give up those assets is another question. At this point, to try and get their season moving in the right direction, they may need to make some sacrifices.

Add us as a preferred source on Google

Follow