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Blue Jays: NL teams most likely to call about trade talks

By Chris Henderson

TORONTO, ON - JUNE 15: Trea Turner #7 of the Washington Nationals reacts after striking out for the final out of the game in the ninth inning during MLB game action as Russell Martin #55 of the Toronto Blue Jays records the final putout at Rogers Centre on June 15, 2018 in Toronto, Canada. (Photo by Tom Szczerbowski/Getty Images)
TORONTO, ON - JUNE 15: Trea Turner #7 of the Washington Nationals reacts after striking out for the final out of the game in the ninth inning during MLB game action as Russell Martin #55 of the Toronto Blue Jays records the final putout at Rogers Centre on June 15, 2018 in Toronto, Canada. (Photo by Tom Szczerbowski/Getty Images) /
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MILWAUKEE, WI – JUNE 12: Lorenzo Cain #6 of the Milwaukee Brewers celebrates after scoring a run during the third inning of a game against the Chicago Cubs at Miller Park on June 12, 2018 in Milwaukee, Wisconsin. (Photo by Stacy Revere/Getty Images)
MILWAUKEE, WI – JUNE 12: Lorenzo Cain #6 of the Milwaukee Brewers celebrates after scoring a run during the third inning of a game against the Chicago Cubs at Miller Park on June 12, 2018 in Milwaukee, Wisconsin. (Photo by Stacy Revere/Getty Images) /

Milwaukee Brewers

Many fans and writers felt the Brewers were a bit of a fluke last year, mostly because they weren’t expected to perform as well as they did. It should be less surprising in 2018, and entering play on Friday night they are leading the NL Central by 1.5 games over the Cubs.

Holding off the Cubbies could be difficult, but regardless the Brew Crew should be smack dab in the middle of the playoff race, whether it’s in the division or in the Wild Card picture. They had a talented roster last year, and then they went out and added the likes of Lorenzo Cain and Christian Yelich in the offseason, further solidifying their talented roster.

Like nearly every team in baseball, the Brewers could use an upgrade to their pitching staff. They weren’t shy about spending resources to bring in Cain and Yelich, so I would expect them to be aggressive at the trade deadline. It looks like the available pitching could be a little thin this summer as well, so someone like Happ could be a major target in Milwaukee.

They did send several talented prospects to the Marlins in order to acquire Yelich, but if the Brewers are serious about taking a run in the playoffs this year, they should have the pieces to get it done.

Chicago Cubs

Speaking of the Cubs, they’re another team that could potentially call the Blue Jays, although I don’t see them as a likely match. As I’ve said a few times above, it only takes an injury or two for that to change though, so don’t rule them out as a possibility.

If the Cubs are looking to upgrade, the most likely spot to me would be in the bullpen, where they could use a little help. Brandon Morrow has been solid as the closer in Chicago, but bullpens become about twice as important in the playoffs, and every bit of depth helps. The Blue Jays don’t have a lot to offer in that way, but I wouldn’t be surprised if someone like Ryan Tepera, or even a Roberto Osuna (if and when he’s re-instated) would be of interest to them. I’m purely speculating by throwing those names out there though.

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