Blue Jays could swing for the fences and land Mike Clevinger

The Toronto Blue Jays could try and knock one out of the park before the deadline by landing pitcher Mike Clevinger from the Cleveland Indians.

According to Jon Heyman of the MLB Network, the Blue Jays are players in the Mike Clevinger sweepstakes that could unfold later today. The Jays are still looking to add another starter before the deadline and Clevinger would check a lot of boxes.

The 29-year old is under team control until 2023 and would give the Blue Jays a legitimate starting rotation to be reckoned with. Mark Shapiro and company have a trusted relationship with the Indians front office and have consummated a number of deals in the past including the Josh Donaldson/ Julian Merryweather swap.

Toronto also has the prospect clout to get a deal done if they feel so inclined as they are sitting on one of the best farm systems in baseball. Clevinger is a front of the rotation starter, however, he recently fell out of favour with the organization and his teammates following an ill-advised night on the town while he was supposed to be bubbled due to the pandemic.

More from Toronto Blue Jays Rumors

• Kyle Schwarber an ideal fit for the Blue Jays lineup
• Blue Jays: Could a 12-year old be the franchise’s future star shortstop?
• Blue Jays: Potential replacements for Marcus Semien
• Blue Jays: Time for an Old-Fashioned MLB Player for Player Trade?
• Are The Blue Jays Looking To Add Another Power Bat?

The asking price would be steep and probably have to include the someone of Simeon Woods Richardson and Gabriel Moreno‘s ilk. However, the right-hander sports a career 42-22 record with an impressive 3.20 earned run average with a 10.0 SO/9 rate and a 12.8 WAR in 101 games that includes 88 starts.

If the Jays were able to consummate a trade for Clevinger, it would definitely send a message to the current roster that the front office believes in them and thinks they are capable of competing now and in the immediate future.

The team has already added both Taijuan Walker and Daniel Vogelbach but by all indications, they are not finished stocking up and are prepared to move all-in sooner than later. It also helps that the Blue Jays have won 11 of their last 15 and currently sit in a playoff spot.