Blue Jays trade rumors: Division rival reportedly considering deal for Jays closer

Despite the fact that he seemingly never has a stress-free outing on the mound, Toronto Blue Jays closer Jordan Romano already has six saves in nine appearances to kick off the 2024 season.

Romano, 31, missed a bit of time after starting the year on the injured list, but he's healthy now and has retaken his spot as the Jays' top option to close out games. He has held down this role on a full-time basis since back in 2021 and since then, he's turned himself into one of the premier closers in the game.

With the Blue Jays struggling to get going and continuing a fall in the standings, there's a legitimate possibility that assets are moved by the time the trade deadline comes around. The club has multiple rentals that would undoubtedly be of interest to others, but there are also some players, like Romano, who could become available and have some more team control.

Romano, who isn't set to hit free agency until the conclusion of the 2025 campaign, is the first Blue Jays player to openly be drawing trade interest this year. According to USA Today's Bob Nightengale, the Baltimore Orioles, a division rival of the Jays, "have their eyes on" Romano as they look to shore up the back of their bullpen.

Orioles considering Jordan Romano trade at the deadline

It's very easy to see why the Orioles are looking externally for help closing out games. Top closer Felix Bautista is out for the year and his replacement, Craig Kimbrel, has struggled mightily so far. Kimbrel, 35, already has three blown saves and is losing his grip as the team's primary closer.

Other names on the Orioles' radar, according to Nightengale, are Ryan Helsley of the Cardinals and Ryan Pressly of the Astros. Both of these teams could conceivably be heading towards a sell-off at the deadline as well.

Making a trade with a division rival is usually something MLB teams look to avoid. However, the Orioles' minor league system is by far the best in baseball, and they have some names that could be of interest to the Blue Jays. With blocked prospects, especially on the position player side, left and right in the high-minors, the Jays would be foolish to pass on at least hearing what Baltimore has to offer if their interest is legitimate.