Blue Jays: Initial trade deadline disappointment starting to wane

Looking back to earlier this month, lots of Blue Jays fans were initially disappointed in how the trade deadline unfolded for Canada’s only MLB team. While the month leading up to the August 2nd deadline was pretty quiet given the apparent seller’s market and the Juan Soto trade rumours waiting to unfold, the Jays did make a few moves before the final bell.

When all was said and done, Ross Atkins and co. acquired relievers Anthony Bass and Zach Pop from the Miami Marlins, starter Mitch White and prospect Alex De Jesus from the Los Angeles Dodgers, and utility player Whit Merrifield from the Kansas City Royals.

Heading the opposite way was top prospect Jordan Groshans (Marlins), pitcher Max Castillo and 2B/OF Samad Taylor (Dodgers), and pitchers Nick Frasso and Moises Brito (Royals) while also trading reliever Jeremy Beasley to the Pittsburgh Pirates for cash considerations.

At the time, the Blue Jays’ trade deadline acquisitions seemed to lack in comparison to other playoff-bound teams like the Seattle Mariners and Houston Astros.

The Jays were tied to a few different players at the deadline like Noah Syndergaard and Raisel Iglesias but both were traded elsewhere, while other players/pitchers who could have helped the Jays like Michael Fulmer and David Robertson were also dealt to other teams. Factor in that other playoff contenders like the Seattle Mariners, New York Yankees, and Houston Astros all got better as well at the deadline with arguably more impactful acquisitions, fans were pretty disappointed the Jays didn’t do more given the current roster.

Fast forward to the end of August and the Blue Jays acquisitions are already starting to make their mark.