5 trade deadline deals that could push Blue Jays back into contention for 2024

Following an uneventful and disappointing June in which the Toronto Blue Jays went a dismal 11-16, they have essentially dug themselves into a deep hole heading towards the trade deadline later this month. Currently, they own a non-flattering record of 41-50 and are a full 16 games behind the AL East division-leading Baltimore Orioles. On top of that, they sit another 9.5 games behind the Boston Red Sox, who is currently in sole possession of the third and final wild card playoff spot in the American League.

The majority of the media and fanbase has practically written off the Jays for the 2024 season. In fact, there have been a boatload of news and rumors that the team will actually be sellers at the trade deadline this time around. Consequently, a fair number of the players have already been associated with the trade block, including once-upon-a-time untouchable superstars Bo Bichette and Vladimir Guerrero Jr.

However, with the Jays’ recent series win against the AL West division-leading Seattle Mariners the past weekend, they showed once again that if they did play to their utmost potential, they actually could have a shot at winning against any team in the league. As a result, as bleak as their current situation may already seem, the Jays could give it one last shot in a desperate run for the playoffs if they truly believe that they can get it done.

To do so, it will likely require the Jays to add a few key pieces at the trade deadline to make the improbable dream possible. Here, we will take a look at 5 key deadline deals that the Jays should pursue that could push the club back into contention for 2024.

Jays need to upgrade the outfield with Luis Robert Jr.

Talk about making a big splash ahead of the trade deadline. If the Blue Jays intend to significantly change the club’s fortunes in their strive for a playoff spot, it should begin with outfielder Luis Robert Jr. As far-fetched as it may seem, the Jays apparently have an outside shot as MLB insider Jon Heyman suggested that the Jays were one of the best landing spots for Robert. Perhaps the best outfield option currently available, he would be a huge difference maker for any contender that he ends up joining.

After all, the former All-Star, Silver Slugger and Gold Glove winner has proven time and time again that he can get things done on both sides of the field. Robert was coming off his best season of his career in 2023 in which he hit .264 with an .857 OPS, along with 90 runs scored, 36 doubles, 38 home runs, 80 RBI and 20 stolen bases over 145 games played. This year, his ongoing journey to stardom was derailed a bit when he missed almost two months due to a right hip flexor strain. Nevertheless, Robert has still managed to put up 22 runs scored, 8 doubles, 10 home runs and 19 RBI in 38 games of action when healthy.

Considering Robert will be a hot commodity come the trade deadline, it will likely require a few top prospects from the Jays’ organization to get any deal done. But to be able to inject a legitimate power bat with elite speed into the lineup, along with essentially replacing the struggling Kevin Kiermaier in center field with more than adequate defense, it should all be worth it for the game-changing player.

Jays need best closer replacement available in Kirby Yates

With Jays’ closer Jordan Romano likely due to miss a huge chunk or even perhaps the rest of the 2024 season, it is essential that they find a proven closer to help stabilize the team’s back end of the bullpen. Especially after seeing how they had nearly or actually blown some games in recent weeks, there can no longer be anymore room for error in that regard going forward for their postseason dream to stay alive.

With that in mind, the perfect candidate for the role is none other than Texas Rangers’ current closer Kirby Yates. Yates had been nothing short of spectacular despite playing for a struggling Rangers’ team in 2024. In 32 appearances to date, he has posted a 3-1 record while going a perfect 14-for-14 in save situations. On top of that, he has a dazzling 0.84 ERA, 480 ERA+, 0.87 WHIP, having given up only 3 earned runs all season with 14 walks and 45 strikeouts in 32.1 innings of work. His 0.84 ERA trails only that of Cleveland Guardians’ closer Emmanuel Clase for the league lead.

The Jays’ faithful would probably remember best the last time Yates was part of the organization back in 2021. After signing a one-year deal with the team, he entered training camp with red flags in his physical. Eventually, Yates had to undergo Tommy John surgery on his right pitching elbow before the season even got started. As a result, he failed to appear in a single game for the Jays, leaving many wondering what potential impact he could have had with the club. Perhaps with a second go-around this time, it will finally give him the chance to show what he can actually bring to the team and help lead the Jays’ relief corps to success down the stretch.

Jays need a strong lefty to anchor their bullpen in Tanner Scott

Entering 2024, the Jays fully expected to have two reliable relievers in Tim Mayza and Genésis Cabrera as their main lefty specialists out of the bullpen at their disposal. After all, Mayza was coming off his best ever MLB season of his career in 2023 sporting an impressive 1.52 ERA, while Cabrera was perhaps one of the best Jays’ relievers down the stretch after coming over from the Cardinals at the trade deadline. However, Cabrera has struggled for much of 2024 despite being a bit better of late, whereas Mayza’s season ended up being so bad that he has since been designated for assignment and ultimately released from the team.

As a result, the Jays should find a reliable, trusted lefty to help round out their battered bullpen. The ideal candidate would be Tanner Scott of the Miami Marlins. As the Marlins’ closer this season, Scott had been exceptional, sporting a 6-5 record with a tidy 1.42 ERA, 1.08 WHIP, giving up only 6 earned runs on 18 hits over 38 innings of work in 37 appearances. With a high-90s fastball mixed in with a devastating slider that works essentially like a changeup at almost 10 mph less, he has baffled many MLB hitters in 2024 at ease.

The Jays desperately need such a lefty in their bullpen to help neutralize some of the matchups appearing late in games. As an added bonus, with Scott’s experience in the closer’s role during the past few seasons with the Marlins, he could essentially play the role of what Erik Swanson did in 2023 with the Jays. That would be serving potentially as either the setup man or the closer for the team depending on the game situation as it presents itself. Therefore, the multi-use flexibility would surely make Scott an invaluable asset for the club down the stretch run.

Jays need to inject a power bat into the lineup with Brent Rooker

With offense being still one of the Jays’ weaknesses this season despite coming to life in spurts in recent weeks, it wouldn’t be a bad idea to add another power bat to the lineup to boost their offensive potential. That boost can come in the form of Brent Rooker of the Oakland Athletics. Rooker may not be a household name to many, but he has certainly made a name for himself during his rapid growth and performance during his last two seasons in the big leagues.

As a former first-round pick of the Minnesota Twins back in the 2017 MLB Draft, Rooker didn’t make his mark until finally joining the Athletics as a waiver claim during the 2022-23 offseason. In 2023, he smacked 30 home runs and drove in 69 runs over 137 games played, en route to his first ever All-Star appearance. This season, Rooker has improved drastically in his hitting, raising his batting average above the .280 mark while still maintaining his productive ways with 18 home runs and 55 RBI in just 78 games of action.

With Justin Turner having a huge regression in his play this year with the Jays, Rooker would be the ideal replacement for Turner in the lineup as the team’s designated hitter. It shouldn’t be a problem for Rooker since he was already accustomed to the DH role in his time with the Athletics. In addition, he can serve as the backup outfielder for the team if needed, given he has seen at least 72 games of action in the field the past two seasons. And at the young age of 29, the Jays would be getting Rooker just at the right time as he enters his prime.