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

Each week, Jays Journal will take a look at the bigger picture of the AL East to help frame not only where the Blue Jays are in the standings, but why they are there.

Baltimore Orioles: 57-40
Boston Red Sox: 55-41
Toronto Blue Jays: 55-44
New York Yankees: 50-48
Tampa Bay Rays: 38-60  

It was another rough week for the chase. Despite winning a two game set against the Diamondbacks, the Blue Jays dropped their weekend series against the Seattle Mariners. Despite the difficult week, though, the Blue Jays are still only three games out of first.

The Blue Jays ran into some rough pitching towards the end of the week, both in the rotation and the pen, that saw the Jays drop two in a row. J.A Happ proved the be the stopper against his former team combining with the ‘pen for a one-hit shut out.

Toronto still very much in the pennant race, and will most likely make some moves as the trade deadline looms just a week away on August 1st. With Drew Storen put out to pasture, the Jays have the ability to add a ‘pen arm without sacrificing anyone off of the current roster.

It seems likely that the Jays will at least add a dime store arm to the back end in an attempt to shore up a shaky bull pen. It remains to be seen if the Blue Jays will make a move for a starter that will allow them to transition all Star Aaron Sanchez.

Deadline Needs:  

The Blue Jays need to solidify their bullpen, which has often been the weakest aspect of their team. This can be achieved in a flexible way by transitioning the in-house Sanchez after a starter is picked up, or by grabbing a ‘pen arm from a team for a reasonable price. Expect a deal similar to the Jason Grilli addition. It is even possible that Shapiro and Co. will simply try to ride it out with in-house options given the current state of the farm system.

Final Takeaway:

The Blue Jays are still very much in the mix, but will need to step up their game to remain at the top. With the Orioles and Red Sox poised to duke it out and add talent, and the Yankees sudden resurgence, the Blue Jays will need to post a record better than their 4-4 mark since the All Star Break.

Next: Baltimore Orioles fight for first

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

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.