8 starting pitchers the Blue Jays should target at the trade deadline

Most Blue Jays fans will be in agreement that their team has underperformed as a whole so far this season. It doesn't help when you're playing in the toughest division in baseball, but more should be expected when considering the talent and payroll.

Regardless, the Blue Jays will undoubtedly be buyers ahead of the Aug. 1 trade deadline. Qualifying for the playoffs is the bare minimum for a team with bigger goals.

One area the Blue Jays will be focused on, is strengthening the rotation. This has become even more imperative ever since Alek Manoah's unexpected implosion. (The Blue Jays have also been exceptionally fortunate with no starts being missed through injury.)

With this in mind, who can or should the Blue Jays target ahead of the trade deadline? Here are eight starters to consider, including expiring contracts, long-shots, a familiar face and underrated options:

NB - All statistics and rankings up to and including July 7.

Lucas Giolito

When it comes to resumes, Lucas Giolito can point to being a 2012 first round draft pick, a 2019 All-Star selection and a no-hitter in 2020. Understandably though, critics will counter by saying you can't live in the past and asking what have you done for me lately?

In this respect, Giolito still has a lot to offer based on his pitching this season. He has proved to be a saving grace on a subpar White Sox ballclub, leading all pitchers in wins, quality starts, inning pitched and WAR.

Of course it's one thing to be the best pitcher on a disappointing team. However, it's worth noting the 28-year-old's 2.5 WAR would also lead all Blue Jays pitchers, while his 3.50 ERA would be tied for second-best among starters.

Further, it's worth noting that Giolito has improved as the 2023 season has progressed. June was his best month yet, highlighted by a 2.32 ERA and 1.000 WHIP.

In terms of the arsenal at his disposal, the Burbank, California native's best weapons are his fastball and curveball. He also offers tremendous size and an intimidating presence on the mound.

Giolito is set to become an unrestricted free agent at the end of this season. Combined with the White Sox being a non-contender, he is a candidate the Blue Jays seriously need to consider.

Jordan Montgomery

Purely from an accolades perspective, Jordan Montgomery is not going to be someone who stands out or impresses. However, to hold this against him would be foolish when looking at options for the Blue Jays to consider.

Further, the parallels with Giolito are almost eerie, albeit in a positive sense. Here, we have another pitcher leading the way for an underperforming ballclub.

Montgomery leads all Cardinals starters in wins, quality starts, ERA and WHIP, to go along with a team-leading 2.0 WAR. As with Giolito, his WAR would lead all Blue Jays pitchers and his ERA would be second-best among starters.

The Sumter, South Carolina native is another one who has heated up during the course of the 2023 season. He recorded a 1.71 ERA and 0.957 WHIP during June and started July allowing just two hits and no earned runs in 6.2 innings versus his former team, the Yankees.

In fact, Montgomery's experience of pitching in New York -- including some postseason action -- could prove invaluable in helping the playoff push in Toronto. He's also a southpaw, which would be a welcome addition to a rotation short in this area.

The 30-year-old is set to become an unrestricted free agent at the end of the current season. The Cardinals are last in the NL Central and it's up to the Blue Jays to use this set of circumstances to their advantage.

Shane Bieber

In terms of proven starters, Shane Bieber is right up there. A Cy Young award, a Triple Crown, two-time All-Star, a Gold Glove - this guy is the real deal.

With a list of accomplishments like that, it won't surprise you that Bieber is aided by a genuine four-pitch arsenal. His fastball and curveball are strongest, but don't underestimate that changeup or slider.

Fairly, there are some who will point to the 28-year-old not being quite as effective as previous years. For example, his strikeout-to-walk ratio is projected to be the worst of his career, while he is on course to give up his most hits per nine innings since his rookie year.

Similarly, Bieber's current 3.66 ERA would be his worst since 2018, although now we're being a bit picky - it's still a good ERA. In addition, he is yet another pitcher improving as 2023 progresses, with single-month bests of a 2.90 ERA and 0.936 WHIP in June.

Understandably, there is the question of why the Guardians would give up their best pitcher? In addition, as average as Cleveland has been this year, they remain contenders in the AL Central - the poorest division in the Majors.

However, as Jays Journal's Charles Kime points out, the Guardians has a history of trading starting pitchers with limited remaining control. (Bieber will become an unrestricted free agent at the end of next season.) While it might not be easy, the Blue Jays owe it to themselves -- and their fans -- to inquire about the Orange, California native.

Marcus Stroman

It is often advised you should never return to a former partner (in most areas of life). And certainly, the breakup between the Blue Jays and Marcus Stroman resulted in some lingering resentment from the latter.

In addition, Stroman has made it clear he loves playing in Chicago and would like to remain long-term in the windy city. As per a recent tweet however, the Cubs are not prepared to discuss an extension at this time, thus giving the Blue Jays a potential opening.

And it's a potential opening the Blue Jays have to consider, purely based on the 32-year-old's form this season. Standing out particularly, his 2.96 ERA and 1.109 WHIP are projected to be single-season bests in qualifying seasons. (He only started four games in 2015, when he had a 1.67 ERA and 0.963 WHIP.)

Despite his diminutive stature by MLB standards, Stroman has shown an impressive durability and toughness during his decade in the Majors. In addition, he seems to have improved overall since entering his 30s.

The Medford, New York native undoubtedly deserved his second All-Star selection this year. His array of pitches continue to serve him well, especially his fastball and slider.

The chances are Stroman won't end up back in Toronto, but it's still worth making the approach to give him the chance to return to familiar territory with a contender. Plus, he has the control of a player option for next year, or becoming a free agent after this season.

Alex Cobb

Looking for a grizzled veteran whose pitching at a level belying his years and won't cost too much to add to the payroll? Then Alex Cobb is your man.

For a start, Cobb's 2.91 ERA is on course to be his best since 2014. He has a tremendous 3.04 FIP. along with a realistic shot to set single-season bests for home runs allowed per nine innings and ERA+.

The 35-year-old has admittedly battled injury issues throughout his Major League career. However, he did have 28 starts last season - the second-most of his career -- and only missed minimal time this year with a left oblique strain.

Another concern is that Cobb gives up more hits that you'd like, in part due to often not mixing his pitches up enough. He must be doing something right though overall, to be projected for an ERA below 4.00 for a third consecutive season.

As alluded to earlier, a contract worth $9 million for this year won't be a back-breaker for the Blue Jays. What will be a challenge though is convincing the Giants to trade Cobb, especially as they have control with a club option for next season.

In addition, the Giants are currently well-placed in the wild card race and are in touching distance of the lead in the NL West. You would imagine they want to retain a quality starter, so mark the righty down as a long-shot for the Blue Jays.

Michael Lorenzen

Michael Lorenzen is more of an underrated option. In fact, we've previously written about how the Blue Jays should give him some consideration.

When we wrote the article just under a month ago, Lorenzen was on course to set an impressive single-season best with a 1.138 WHIP. Unsurprisingly, this extended to single-season bests for hits and walks per nine innings.

Along with a decent-but-not-great 4.03 ERA, the 31-year-old deserved his moniker as an underrated (and undervalued) target. In the weeks since he has come back down to earth, although he still did enough to earn his first All-Star selection.

Despite this, we would still argue Lorenzen should be an option for the Blue Jays, albeit now further down the list. He remains a solid potential starter depth option, if more preferable targets become unattainable.

The Anaheim, California native is an intelligent and meticulous pitcher. He can throw up to seven pitches, with his sublime fastball being his most dangerous weapon.

As a bonus, Lorenzen can even play in the outfield if required. And with him set to become an unrestricted free agent following this season, the Tigers will very likely be open to moving him.

Mike Clevinger

Remaining on the topic of underrated, Mike Clevinger is more deserving of this - and for his career as a whole. With a career 3.43 ERA and .614 winning percentage, he is one of the better starters to have never been named an All-Star.

It tells you something that Clevinger's 3.88 ERA so far this season, would project to only be the fifth-best in his seven-year career. He has an impressive arsenal, highlighted by a legit fastball and excellent changeup.

Arguably the biggest concern surrounding the 32-year-old, is his injury issues ever since being drafted. In this respect, he has been out since mid-June with a right bicep injury and is not expected to return until after the All-Star break.

Obviously everyone concerned will want to see how Clevinger performs once he's back. However, perhaps the Blue Jays can use this to their advantage.

As referenced when discussing Giolito, the White Sox are not a genuine challenger this year. As such, maybe now is the right time to cut bait with a veteran, injury-prone starter who won't be around long-term anyway.

Chicago probably won't need too much in return for Clevinger, who would get the opportunity to join a ballclub with World Series aspirations. Even in the worst case scenario for the Blue Jays, there is a mutual option for next year which includes a $4 million buyout.