Blue Jays: Club is linked to Berrios, Gomes, and Story at deadline

The Toronto Blue Jays are heavily in the rumour mill again, as the club appears to be willing to discuss some major deals with clubs across the major leagues.

Ken Rosenthal is indicating that the Minnesota Twins are willing to deal starter Jose Berrios today at the deadline and that the Toronto Blue Jays appear to be leading the charge. Sources are also indicating that the Blue Jays appear to be willing to discuss top prospect Nate Pearson in a potential deal, which seems like a high price to pay.

Berrios is having a terrific 2021 campaign and does have another year of contract control, meaning he is not a rental-only type of player. Losing Pearson for Berrios would be a huge pill to swallow and I personally hope that there is more to the deal than just the one pitcher. Top pitchers do have a high price tag but looking at the Scherzer/Turner deal with the Dodgers and the Gallo deal with the Yankees, you would hope the Blue Jays could land Berrios without giving up their #1 prospect unless a bigger trade is in the works (hence the Dodgers example).

The trade deadline rumours are heating up as it appears the Blue Jays are interested in Jose Berrios, Trevor Story, and Yan Gomes.

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The Blue Jays have also been reportedly checking in with the Washington Nationals in regards to catcher Yan Gomes, a pending free agent after this season.

Gomes was originally drafted by the Blue Jays in 2009 but was traded early on in his career, most recently suiting up for the Nationals. With the Blue Jays interested in Gomes, it appears that the team may be willing to trade one of their prospect catchers in another respective deal such as Danny Jansen, Reese McGuire, and Alejandro Kirk.

Kirk has the most value of the three when comparing contract control and potential but McGuire has been solid this season when called up, so the addition of Gomes seems to be a result of a few different scenarios:

1. Danny Jansen is going to be out for a long period of time
2. One or two of the catchers are going to be traded
3. The Blue Jays feel Gomes has upside compared to what is currently on the roster

At the right price, Gomes could be a solid rental option this season especially if the Nationals are in the mood to continue the fire sale. He currently sports a .271/.323/.454 slash line on the season.

Lastly, the Jays have also been reportedly interested in acquiring Colorado Rockies shortstop Trevor Story, one of the big names on the free-agent market this season.

It is interesting that the club is looking at Story given the options at shortstop and second base but stranger things have happened. I wouldn’t hold my breath for this deal but he would be a solid option to have for the rest of the season but at a very high price tag.

*As of the conclusion of this article, Jose Berrios has reportedly been traded to the Blue Jays. Fellow contributor Chris Henderson will have more on the news.*