Blue Jays AL East Recap: Jays fail to gain ground, trade deadline outlooks

Orioles lose, then regain lead
Baltimore Orioles: 57-40

The Orioles found themselves in hot water after losing a four-game series against the Yankees. They then responded with a three-game sweep of the Indians ending their week with a four-game win streak and firmly atop the AL East.

Their normally explosive offence was forced to take any run they could in a rare quiet week for them. Once again their offence did not produce more than 5 runs all week.

Baltimore saw a strong week from their rotation, which has been their biggest issue up until now. With their bullpen as air-tight as it is, Baltimore will hope to see the offensive returns they know their bats are capable of as we wind down into the home stretch.

Deadline Needs:
The Orioles are a strong team as is, evidenced by how long they have been atop the AL East. Despite this, their starting rotation has been taxed at best. They currently possess the third worst rotation ERA in the big leagues.

Their offence has carried them this far, but they will likely seek to add another dominant arm to help out Chris Tillman at the front end of the rotation. It’s very likely we’ll see the Red Sox acquire a starter with a reputable name before the deadline closes.

Final Takeaway:
The Orioles are still the top team in the division. Despite their weak rotation, the Orioles have mashed their way to the top. They will play a weekend set in Toronto and hope to dispatch a rising foe, rather than repeat the results of their series against New York.

Next: Red Sox on the cusp and looking to add

Red Sox ready to strike
Boston Red Sox: 55-41

The Boston Red Sox saw their early advantage over the rest of the AL East slip away as they split a four game set with the Minnesota Twins to end the weekend. The Red Sox looked poised to strike as they entered the series with a thin hold of first after the Orioles took three losses to start the week. Instead, Boston only managed a split with the lowly Twins as Baltimore swept the Central-leading Indians.

Despite the set back, the Red Sox have been playing very good baseball since the end of the All Star break, and have not suffered from the offensive shortage the Orioles are now finding themselves in.

With the Orioles spending the next weekend in division play, the Red Sox will look to take the lead away from them once again. This time for good.

Deadline Needs:

The Red Sox have already addressed their team’s needs. Striking before the iron was hot, the Red Sox acquired All-Star starter Drew Pomeranz to help shore up the weak spot in their rotation.

Boston also acquired veteran closer Brad Ziegler from the Diamondbacks to help fill out a taxed bullpen that is currently without ace closer Craig Kimbrel.

Final Takeaway:

The Red Sox will let the cards fall as they will, already making a big splash on the trade market. The retooled Red Sox have been a tremendous force as of late, and look poised to fight for the top spot in the division until season’s end.

Next: Yankees reborn amid talks of deadline selling

Yankees revive chances
New York Yankees: 50-48

The Yankees roared back to life this week winning two consecutive series’, including a win in a four-game set against the Orioles. The previous weeks seemed to indicate that the Yankees would be total sellers at the deadline, but after dispatching both the Orioles and Giants. The Yankees have proved they can make this a four-horse race.

With an easy road trip against Houston and Tampa Bay between them and the deadline, upper management will have to seriously think about their team’s chances over the next week.

The Yankees starting rotation was masterful over the past seven days, dispelling wonders on how well their rotation could reasonably perform. New York may be peaking late in a division too strong for them though, because despite their stellar week, the Yankees are still 7.5 games back in the division.

Deadline Needs:

The Deadline has become a tricky subject this week as the Yankees would likely need a boost to their rotation to make a serious run at the pennant. Despite their rotation’s magnificent week, the longevity of their starters remains their principal concern.

The Yankees are reportedly nearing a deal that will send Aroldis Chapman to the Chicago Cubs for a package centred around top shortstop prospect Gleybar Torres. With many teams seaking back end help, the Yankees could benefit from having the talented duo of Andrew Miller and Dellen Betences in-house and ready to fill Chapman’s shoes.

Chapman’s deal could be finalized as early as today, and as the Yankees have talented assets already in place for the final innings, and they could leverage some pieces that will help them out long term.

Final Takeaway:

New York’s resurgence has made  them the team to watch in the AL East as the deadline approaches. The Yankees are flexible enough to send off their biggest trade chip, and still make a reasonable run at competing. While it is improbable that the Yankees will add a major rotation piece, if they look as good as they did this week, they won’t need to.

Next: Rays finally getting some positive performances

Rays seeing positives
Tampa Bay Rays: 38-60

The season for the Tampa Bay Rays is definitely over as Tampa Bay took a 3-4 week. Not all is doom and gloom for the Rays, though. Despite never living up to expectations, the Rays’ primary trade assets have shown some brilliance over the last week.

Both Chris Archer and Jake Odorizzi have proven to be top commodities on an otherwise thin trade market. Despite closer Alex Colome blowing his first save of the season, his arm will also be inquired on as the deadline draws near. With veteran Brad Boxberger‘s rehab stint beginning and going well, they could easily move Colome if the price is right.

Deadline Needs:

The Tampa Bay Rays don’t need to go crazy at the deadline. Inconsistency, not lack of talent, led to their season’s demise. The Rays should be smart about what assets to move and what to hold onto.

Despite reports that Chris Archer was available, it appears more likely that the Rays will try to maximize the value of Odorizzi and Colome and hope to grab some pieces that will help make 2017 a better season for them.

Next: Healthy Pompey could still impact Jays in 2016 race

Final Takeaway:

The Rays have no need to go all in as sellers at the deadline. Despite a rough season, the organization have the talent needed throughout their organization to build a competitive team if handled correctly. Expect shrewd trades with excellent returns as they approach the deadline.