3 nightmare trade deadline targets for the Blue Jays in 2026

With the Toronto Blue Jays officially back in contention after a rough start to their 2026 campaign, Blue Jays fans can start being optimistic in the team in their potential return to the postseason this year. In order to do so though, Toronto will likely need to look for some upgrades at the trade deadline in a little less than two months time.

After all, the Jays’ offense hasn’t really been at their very best, while their pitching staff has been plagued by injuries for much of the 2026 season. But whatever trade targets that Toronto could be pursuing, they should try to stay away from these three big-name players, as they could potentially become nightmare pick ups for the Blue Jays down the road .

Not getting the right pieces at the trade deadline could make things worse for the Blue Jays

P Bryan Abreu

As one of the more premium relievers in the league, Bryan Abreu had been previously presented by Mitch Bannon of The Athletic (subscription required) as a potential target of the Blue Jays to bolster their bullpen. After all, with a career ERA below 3.00 and strikeout rate above 32%, Abreu is your typical shutdown pitcher that one would want as a part of the relief corps for any contender.

However, the 29-year-old right-hander has struggled immensely with his command so far in 2026 with the Houston Astros. In 24 appearances, Abreu has compiled a 2-2 record with a brutal 6.85 ERA, 1.88 WHIP, giving up 17 earned runs along with 24 walks and 31 strikeouts in just 22.1 innings of work.

He has been a bit better of late, putting together a string of games without allowing a run before faltering somewhat once again. Nevertheless, if the Jays need to upgrade their bullpen, they need to go with a more reliable and consistent option, and not with another potential Jeff Hoffman-style “Jekyll and Hyde” performer in Abreu.

P Sandy Alcantara

Earlier in the season, Miami Marlins ace Sandy Alcantara appeared to be an attractive trade deadline target for the Blue Jays. With Toronto's starting rotation decimated by injuries this season, adding someone with Alcantara's potential could help stabilize their starting five.

Especially when the 30-year-old right-hander seemed to have regained his Cy Young form in his first three starts to the 2026 season. Alcantara went 2-0 with a minuscule 0.74 ERA, with just four walks and 18 strikeouts in 24.1 innings pitched in those three games, including a complete game shutout against the Chicago White Sox on April 1.

However, Alcantara has gone 3-4 since then, along with a 5.68 ERA, giving up 41 earned runs including 10 home runs in 65 innings of work over his next 11 starts. Those numbers were more in line with that from his past couple of active seasons. It could end up being a painful experience for Blue Jays fans if he ends up in Toronto and doesn't regain his prior form.

OF Taylor Ward

With the Blue Jays’ anemic power and run production to date this season, they could be looking for a power bat upgrade at the trade deadline. One of the top candidates that would be available is Baltimore Orioles outfielder Taylor Ward. After all, Ward is coming off a career year in 2025 in which he posted personal bests in home runs with 36 and RBIs with 103.

However, the 32-year-old has had a severe power outage to in 2026, having produced just three home runs and 28 RBIs in 65 games played with the Orioles. Some could argue that Ward is playing for an underperforming Baltimore team that can't get anything right. But at the same time, the Orioles currently rank seventh in the entire league in runs scored with 312 this season, so they haven’t really had any issues with their offense, making the Ward argument mute.

As a result, for someone that is painfully on pace for less than eight home runs and 50 RBIs for the year, the Blue Jays should stay away from the Orioles slugger as it could end up giving Toronto more headaches than a potential solution to their struggling offensive production.

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