Blue Jays vs. Orioles Preview: Toronto gets exclusive preview of potential trade deadline targets

After taking three of four from one of the top teams in the American League in the Detroit Tigers, the Toronto Blue Jays enter the last week of July as the No. 1 team in the entire MLB. The Blue Jays are currently a full 20 games above .500 while leading the AL East by 5 1/2 games over the second place New York Yankees. Toronto will now head to Baltimore to take on the Orioles for another four-game series with a doubleheader taking place on Tuesday. 

In addition to having the chance to pad their division lead against an underachieving Orioles squad, the Jays will have the exclusive opportunity to have an up-close-and-personal preview of some of their potential trade targets at the deadline.

Blue Jays vs. Orioles Preview: Toronto gets exclusive preview of potential trade deadline targets

With Toronto looking to bolster their bullpen heading into the stretch run, the Orioles at one time had multiple candidates that would fit the Jays’ needs. However, with elite closer Felix Bautista landing on the injured list with right shoulder discomfort and reliever Gregory Soto being traded to the New York Mets last Friday, it leaves Seranthony Domínguez as the prime trade target for Toronto. Domínguez has had a solid 2025 campaign on an otherwise struggling Orioles team as he has posted a 2-3 record with a 3.32 ERA while recording 53 strikeouts in just 40 2/3 innings over 42 relief appearances. More importantly, Domínguez would bring with him some flame-throwing heat that the Jays desperately lack in their current bullpen setup.

In addition, the Orioles also have a couple of intriguing bats that could boost the Jays’ offensive potential. Former Jays killer Ramón Laureano has put together his best season since 2019 by registering a solid .279 average, .846 OPS, along with 39 runs scored, 14 home runs and 43 RBIs in 77 games played. Former All-Star outfielder Cedric Mullins has also put up similar numbers to Laureano, albeit a lower batting average, but amassing 39 runs scored, 14 home runs and 45 RBIs in 87 games of action. Laureano is a right-handed hitter, whereas Mullins is a lefty, so the Jays would have the option to go with the one they believe addresses their need the most.

So perhaps by adding a player from the Orioles’ organization, it can help make up for some of the disappointment that former Oriole Anthony Santander has brought to Toronto in his first year with the club.

In terms of the pitching matchups, the Blue Jays will send Chris Bassitt (11-4, 3.88 ERA) to the mound to start against the Orioles’ Zach Eflin (6-5, 5.78 ERA) on Monday. With the doubleheader on Tuesday, both teams have yet to announce their starters for both games. To finish things off on Wednesday, José Berríos (7-4, 3.83 ERA) will face Dean Kremer (8-7, 4.23 ERA).

Hopefully by the time the series is done, the Blue Jays will have made some big moves already to upgrade their roster ahead of the massive scramble at the trade deadline.