Latest Diamondbacks rumor sets up a perfect opportunity for Blue Jays trade desires

Ahead of the MLB Trade Deadline, a rumor has sprouted about the Arizona Diamondbacks that is worth identifying for the Toronto Blue Jays. Mike Hazen, General Manager of the Diamondbacks, has yet to commit to buying or selling at the deadline. In an interview with Nick Piecoro, he acknowledged that time is running out and they would likely need to commit one way soon.

From that interview Piecoro was able to come away with enough to suggest that if they were to sell, their target would be young pitching. If there was one thing Toronto has done well with recently, it has been developing young pitching.

In the Blue Jays' quest to find big league help at the trade deadline, giving up some of their deep pitching depth would not hurt the organization one bit. That makes Arizona and Toronto perfect trade partners.

Diamondbacks rumors sets up perfect opportunity to make a trade with Blue Jays.

The Diamondbacks don't have a lot to offer that would make sense for the Blue Jays. The two that would make sense for Toronto to target would be Zac Gallen and Merrill Kelly. Gallen was recently labeled as a player the Blue Jays had shown interest in.

Both are rentals and would likely cost a top prospect. That is a ranked prospect, not exactly a Trey Yesavage. Kelly is on a cheaper contract for the year and has better numbers, so it is likely he would cost more than Gallen, despite his old age. Gallen is younger and was recently a Cy-Young finalist, but is having a bit of a down season.

Prospects that could go back to Arizona in a package for either Kelly or Gallen would definitely start with Adam Macko, a southpaw in Triple-A. Juaron Watts-Brown would likely be a name in the mix too, given his success in Double-A thus far. If they want a more upside arm for either to go more quality over quantity, then Khal Stephen could be their guy.

There are a lot of possibilties to work with here and Toronto is definitely going to make a splash. Losing a young pitcher is easy to deal from in this organization, especially if landing a front end starter like Kelly or Gallen. Hopefully Ross Atkins can do something exciting. This rumor involving the Diamondbacks does make a lot of sense for Toronto though.