Blue Jays: Three pitchers that would make a difference in the rotation

Pablo Lopez

With the Colorado Rockies informing everyone they are not intending to trade German Marquez and the Cincinnati Reds contending for the playoffs, the starting pitching market gets a little narrower when it comes to quality arms potentially being available.

With general manager Kim Ng in her first full season with the Miami Marlins, the small market club could be willing to deal some assets this year for high valued prospects close to the major leagues. Enter the Toronto Blue Jays.

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It’s unknown at this time if the Marlins will indeed become sellers at the trade deadline, but if they choose to listen to offers, the Blue Jays should be calling in regards to right-hander Pablo Lopez.

In his fourth season with Miami, Lopez is having a fantastic 2021 campaign, pitching to a 3.03 ERA through 19 starts while 111 batters and keeping the walks down to a 2.2 ratio over nine innings. Through 101.0 innings of work, Lopez has only surrendered 10 home runs and features a 1.089 WHIP on the season. He also just set a major league record by striking out the first nine batters to start a game just over a week ago.

Considering the Blue Jays already made a trade with the Marlins earlier this season (Adam Cimber and Corey Dickerson for Joe Panik and a prospect), it would make sense that the two teams could collaborate once again.

https://twitter.com/MLB/status/1414285306312986628

The only difference is that the Blue Jays will most likely not be the only team interested in the Venezuelan product if he is available, and with the right-hander not being eligible for free agency until after the 2014 season, the price tag is going to be quite high.

This deal will most certainly involve a higher-end prospect or two in the Blue Jays farm system, especially if the competition for his services drives up the value. Of course, the deal has to be within reason, but to send a top prospect for three years of Lopez does seem like a tantalizing offer, especially if the Rockies and Reds are unwilling to deal from their rotation before the trade deadline.

Lopez helps the Blue Jays over other options like Jon Gray, Kyle Gibson, and Matthew Boyd (currently injured) and the fact that he will not be a straight-up rental should make fans feel better about giving up a top prospect or two.

He may not be the flashiest name on the trade deadline rumour market but Pablo Lopez is one player to keep an eye on, especially if the Marlins declare a fire sale.