Blue Jays: High-End Closer Candidates To Complete The Bullpen

While General Manager Ross Atkins has chipped away at the Blue Jays’ hefty bullpen needs by bringing in commendable mid-tier pieces like Adam Cimber and Trevor Richards, there’s no denying that an elite arm is still needed.

Atkins and Team President Mark Shapiro have so far done a good job of acquiring the aforementioned upgrades without sacrificing key pieces of the farm system. But as we get nearer to the trade deadline on July 30th, the time for that tepid approach has now passed.

The Blue Jays seem to have everything else in place to be a contender this season, but the back-end of the bullpen is still the one area that’s holding them back. A top-notch high-leverage arm is needed and there are several candidates that are on the trade market, each falling into different categories of risk, and expense.

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The Long-Term Play

Richard Rodriguez, Pittsburgh Pirates

Rodriguez is a prime target, not only because of his impressive season — 11 saves, 2.43 ERA, 0.78 WHIP, and .190 batting average against — but also because he has two more years of team control after 2021. And we all know that ‘team control’ is an attribute that Shapiro and Atkins covet.

According to The Athletic’s Kaitlyn McGrath and former general manager Jim Bowden, the Jays could trade from a position of strength, catcher, and send Alejandro Kirk, along with a mid-tier prospect to the Pirates in a deal for Rodriguez.

The thing is, the Blue Jays aren’t the only team with ‘Rich Rod’ on the radar, so the offer would have to be a good one. One advantage the Blue Jays may have over other teams is a relationship with  Pirates General Manager Ben Cherington, who served as Toronto’s VP of Baseball Operations for three years before heading to Pittsburgh.

The Mid-Term Plays

Craig Kimbrel, Chicago Cubs

Possibly the most impact closer on the market, Kimbrel will be a hot commodity if the Cubs decide to sell (and following their 11-game losing streak, all indications are that they will).

The Blue Jays have been in the discussion, but as he’s returned to the elite level after two years on the brink, his price in prospect capital will be very high.

Kimbrel is signed for the 2022 season, at a not-too-exorbitant cost of $16 Million, so it’s not a one-and-done proposition. That, however, is another factor that boosts the price tag.

Taylor Rogers, Minnesota Twins

If Kimbrel is too rich for the Blue Jays’ blood, another solid late-inning arm in this class is the Twins’ co-closer Rogers (not to be confused with Tyler or Trevor, two other T. Rogers of note this season).

Jim Bowden calls Taylor Rogers “one of the most underrated left-handed relievers in baseball over the last few seasons”. With a 12.6 K/9 this season, to go along with 7 saves, a 1.06 WHIP, and a 2.52 ERA, he could be a sneaky solid addition to the Toronto bullpen.

He also has one more year of arbitration eligibility.

Two other names in this category that are under team control (via arbitration) through 2022 include Detroit Tigers closer Michael Fulmer and Colorado Rockies’ 9th-inning man Daniel Bard. Neither of them, however, have nearly the cachet of Kimbrel, or even Rogers.

The Pure Rental Play

Ian Kennedy, Texas Rangers

If Atkins and Co. are looking to keep trade costs down and are ready to do a one-and-done rental deal, then Kennedy is the guy.

A free agent after this season, he’s been rock-solid as a closer for the Rangers this season, and his closer resume includes a 34-save season for the Kansas City Royals as recently as 2019. He’s 14-for-15 in save chances this season. A mid-level prospect is in play for this type of deal.

A lot of options for the Blue Jays to consider, depending on how much prospect capital they’re willing to part with.

The playoffs are within reach; a solid second half gives this team a real shot. There are so many top prospects in the system, it might not be out of the realm of possibility to sacrifice one of them (not named Austin Martin or Jordan Groshans) to lock in a real stopper like Kimbrel for this season and next. Should they pull the trigger?