Identifying three positions the Blue Jays can upgrade at the trade deadline

The start of the Blue Jays 2025 season has shown that the team has made some serious improvements to its offense, bullpen and clutch hitting.

But there's still some obvious room for them to look to improve at the trade deadline.

Here are three spots on the roster the Blue Jays should look to upgrade during the trade deadline.

Identifying three positions the Blue Jays can upgrade at the trade deadline

Starting rotation

The Blue Jays' starting rotation looked like a strength on paper at the beginning fo the season, but the unit's been up and down so far this year.

The biggest issue has been the lack of depth. Max Scherzer has missed almost all of the year due to a thumb injury, which is why the team has had to rely on guys like Easton Lucas, José Ureña, Eric Lauer and Yariel Rodríguez to fill the No. 5 spot in the rotation.

They've gotten a strong season from Chris Bassitt (4-2, 2.83 ERA, in 57 1/3 innings) and he only has one year left on his contract (which has led to buzz about whether the Blue Jays would consider trading him), but the Blue Jays would likely want to build around Bassitt to maximize what could be his final year in Toronto.

While the Blue Jays need to add to their rotation, they likely won't make a deal involving a top prospect like Trey Yesavage or Arjun Nimmala. Both players are now at High-A after Yesavage's promotion, and they're continuing to play like they're going to be a part of the Blue Jays' MLB picture in 2026.

Adding a depth arm at the deadline can always be a tricky dance since most teams tighten their rotation during the postseason anyway. If they do add a starter, it would be a move made with the regular season in mind.

One high-caliber starter who's on the trade block is 29-year-old Miami Marlins left-hander Sandy Alcantara. While Alcantara has a 99 ERA across his first nine starts this season, he didn't pitch in 2024 due to recovery from Tommy John surgery.

Alcantara won the National League Cy Young in 2022 when he had a 2.28 ERA in 227 2/3 innings and threw six complete games.

Alcantara remains under contract through 2026 and has a $21 million team option for 2027.

One budget option the Marlins could also consider is Pittsburgh Pirates starter Andrew Heaney. The left-handed Heaney has a 3.02 ERA across 50 2/3 innings on a Pirates team that seems destined to be a seller.

Outfield

The Blue Jays enhanced their outfield power in the offseason by signing Anthony Santander, but they still ned more pop in the outfield, even with Daulton Varsho looking solid and George Springer turning back the clock.

Varsho leads the team in home runs (six), and has locked down center field since he returned from the injured list.

And while it's been great to see Springer look more like himself at the plate, he's stil struggling with his consistency. He's 0-for-15 across his last five games, which is a stark reminder of his struggles over the past couple seasons.

With all that in mind, the Blue Jays should consider adding a power hitting outfielder at the deadline.

One obvious trade target is the Los Angeles Angels' Taylor Ward. Ward's mashed 13 home runs for the Angels so far this year, and would fill an obvious hole in left field (the Blue Jays have had seven players start at least one game in left for them this year).

If the Blue Jays do decide to add to their outfield picture, it wouldn't be surprising to see them kick the tires on trying to trade Springer. While he's still owed $24 million next year, he's been better on offense this year and is a proven postseason winner.

Third base

The Blue Jays have primarily utilized Will Wagner, Ernie Clement, and Addison Barger at third base this season, so it's a position that could use a clear upgrade.

Clement's shifted over to second base since Andrés Giménez got injured, which has meant that Barger's taken over third base.

The biggest problem with this, however, is the lack of impact third baseman who could be avilable. Nolan Arenado stands out as the biggest trade target, but he has a firm no-trade clause and is playing well for the surging Cardinals. After that, the top option is Colorado's Ryan McMahon, but the Rockies are notorious for not making trades.

This could result in the Blue Jays thinking outside the box and trading for a player like Rays infielder Yandy Díaz.

Díaz primarily plays as a first baseman and designated hitter right now, but he came up as a third baseman, and played the position as recently as 2023.

Díaz is slashing .250/.301/.400 this year with six home runs and 24 RBI, and would provide the team with another impact bat on the infield.

The biggest problem would be how his presence would impact the team's defense. Both Barger and Clement are plus-defenders at third, so putting Díaz there wold be an immediate downgrade. The same can be said if the Blue Jays put Díaz at first and shifted Vladimir Guerrero Jr. to third.

This problem doesn't come with an obvious solution, but it's clear the Blue Jays need to make an upgrade at third base.