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MLB's rising candidates list offers 3 great trade upgrades for Blue Jays

The Blue Jays should be looking to add to their roster ahead of the MLB Trade Deadline and have three players to consider.
ByMichael DeRosa|
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Jun 13, 2026; Boston, Massachusetts, USA; Boston Red Sox left fielder Jarren Duran (16) hits a two run home run during the eighth inning against the Texas Rangers at Fenway Park. Mandatory Credit: Bob DeChiara-Imagn Images
Jun 13, 2026; Boston, Massachusetts, USA; Boston Red Sox left fielder Jarren Duran (16) hits a two run home run during the eighth inning against the Texas Rangers at Fenway Park. Mandatory Credit: Bob DeChiara-Imagn Images | Bob DeChiara-Imagn Images

All eyes should be on the Toronto Blue Jays between now and the 2026 MLB Trade Deadline. With the deadline being less than two months away, it would not be surprising in the slightest if the Blue Jays are already looking around the league for potential help.

The Blue Jays' placement in the standings shows that they should be on the hunt for talent. Due to significant injury trouble, the Blue Jays sit third in the American League East with a 34-38 (On Jun. 15) record. They are also 1.5 games behind the Athletics for the final wild card spot in the American League. With the Blue Jays having high expectations for this season, this kind of start has not been ideal.

MLB.com's Mark Feinsand recently discussed nine MLB trade candidates who are on the rise right now. Of the players Feinsand listed, Boston Red Sox outfielder Jarren Duran, Minnesota Twins pitcher Joe Ryan, and St. Louis Cardinals reliever Riley O'Brien stand out as interesting options for the Blue Jays to consider.

Duran, Ryan, and O'Brien would all have the potential to provide the Blue Jays' roster with a real boost as they aim to climb up the standings.

Why the Blue Jays should target these three trade candidates

While the Blue Jays and Red Sox are division rivals, the possibility of Toronto targeting Duran should not be ruled out. The Blue Jays could use another high-impact outfielder, and Duran has been in the rumor mill for several months.

While Duran had a tough start to the season, he has been regaining his former All-Star form as of late. The 29-year-old has an impressive 10 home runs since the start of May, so he would have the potential to provide the Blue Jays' lineup with more pop, which is a real need.

With the Blue Jays needing another star pitcher in their rotation, it would make all the sense in the world for them to target Ryan from the Twins. He has been a popular name in the rumor mill for much of this season.

After putting together an All-Star season in 2025, Ryan has been just as good this campaign. In 15 games so far this season, he has a 4-3 record, a 3.17 ERA, and 92 strikeouts. With numbers like these, he would be a major pickup for the front half of the Blue Jays' rotation. He is also under team control until the end of next season, which adds to his appeal.

As for O'Brien, he would give the Blue Jays another solid reliever to work with in their bullpen. The 31-year-old righty has been performing well as the Cardinals' closer this season. In 30 appearances, he has a 3-3 record, a 3.86 ERA, 17 saves, and 32 strikeouts.

Given how the Blue Jays' bullpen has been this season, bringing in a reliever like O'Brien would make sense for them. This is especially so when noting that he is under team control for multiple more years. Because of this, he could be a long-term pickup for Toronto if acquired.

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