7 Blue Jays reunions we’d like to see at this year’s trade deadline

Tayler Saucedo, Seattle Mariners

An interesting option coming out of Seattle is former Blue Jay pitcher Tayler Saucedo. His name might not jump out onto the page as much as what the pedigree Graveman or Hendriks would bring. However, Saucedo has quietly put together a strong season for the Mariners in 2023. In 27 games, he has accumulated a 2-1 record with a tidy 2.45 ERA, 1.32 WHIP, giving up only seven earned runs all year, with 12 walks and 26 strikeouts in 25.2 innings pitched. The slightly high walk rate may be a bit worrisome, but he has also held his opponents to just a .227 batting average to even things out.

Of the three potential reliever targets, Saucedo would cost the Jays the least amount of assets to acquire so that they could save some to hit bigger targets to fill other needs at the trade deadline. In addition, Saucedo is the only lefty among the three and that has been something the Jays sorely lack, with Tim Mayza being the sole lefthanded reliever in the Jays’ bullpen for all of 2023. Also, the Jays could potentially go big and try to acquire Saucedo along with another teammate (see below) in a bigger trade package deal to address multiple needs at once.

Teoscar Hernández, Seattle Mariners

Speaking of Saucedo’s teammate, wouldn’t it be great to bring back Teoscar Hernández to the ballclub? The acquisition of Erik Swanson from the Mariners to bolster the bullpen has been paying huge dividends for the Jays so far this season; however, at the same time, the Jays have definitely missed Hernández’s power bat and clutch hitting time and time again throughout the year. He certainly provided great protection for those that batted ahead of him for years in the past, and could do so again if the Jays can bring him back once again.

For the 2023 season, Hernández is hitting .244 with a .728 OPS, 42 runs scored, 15 home runs, 50 RBI, and five stolen bases. But more importantly, he has come through big time with RISP, an area that has hurt the Jays aplenty this season. He is hitting .319 with an OPS of .868 with RISP, producing three home runs and 36 RBI in the process. He can potentially be the offence difference maker for the Jays if a reunion with him is in the cards, and perhaps, he can also bring back some fun and character in the clubhouse, as at times, they seem too serious nowadays.