Blake Murphy on the Blue Jays' trade deadline, prospect value, and rotation depth

Who should the Blue Jays go after, and what were Murphy's pre-season predictions?

Robbie: Is there a perfect fit in your opinion that you’d like to see the Blue Jays target?

Blake: “Joe Ryan’s kind of the dream. I just don't think the Twins are going to trade him, I don't think the Twins should or will trade him.”

He also brought up a couple other names, including Edward Cabrera, a young, cheaper player with multiple years of control, and Reid Detmers as potential guys to watch. “Detmers is someone I’ve come to really like. Don't look at his 4.06 ERA, almost all that damage is done in like the first two weeks of the season. He's been unbelievable since then. I think you could pick him up, slot him into your bullpen the rest of the season, and then turn him back into a starter for 2026.” 

Robbie: Let’s say the Jays do land a top-end arm. How does that affect the rotation? Does Lauer turn into a long man from the bullpen?

Blake: “Yeah, I think you probably do that. You're certainly not asking Max to do it, and the other three starters have been too solid. Lauer kind of knew the deal coming into this season, and honestly, if Lauer's going to be on a playoff roster, that's the role he's going to be in anyway.” 

I was also curious to know his thoughts on Manoah’s return, and his thoughts on his rehab clock starting earlier than expected. “I agree. I think the more realistic path is Manoah ends up getting optioned. He probably needs more time and ends up getting optioned, then you reconsider it in September.”

I returned to the topic of Yesavage, as I was interested to know if Murphy thinks he could be in Triple-A Buffalo this year. Long story short, he says the fact that Yesavage is struggling at Double-A is actually encouraging, as Yesavage owns a 6.35 ERA in 17 IP. “I think it's good that he's struggling at AA a little bit. Part of the reason they were aggressive with the promotion was because they want to see him deal through some adversity, and have to make some adjustments. ”

If those adjustments are made quickly, a promotion to Buffalo could definitely be on the way. “I would not be totally surprised if he cooks his next couple of starts, and then in mid-August, he's joining Buffalo. Some teams don't feel the need to have a guy in AAA that long, AA is the big jump.” That being said, Murphy views him as a backup option if the deadline doesn’t go as planned. “I could see him in a Jackson Jobe-type role, emergency depth for the stretch run. It’s not Plan A, but it’s on the table.”

Robbie: Are there any preseason takes you’ve changed your mind on?

Blake: “I thought Roden was going to be the guy. He got the first crack, and I thought he’d run with it. That’s probably my worst call. Beyond that, I obviously didn't think Bowden would struggle as much as he did, but it's not like I was out there saying he's going to be a number two starter or anything like that.”

The one he’s the most proud of?

“Leverage Yariel Rodríguez is a real thing. I wasn’t 100% sure early on, but he’s proven he belongs in big spots. I trust him.”