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Proposed trade is a no-brainer for the Blue Jays

The Blue Jays and the Diamondbacks seem to make sense as trade partners
ByMatthew Sookram|
Jun 9, 2025; Phoenix, Arizona, USA; Arizona Diamondbacks pitcher Merrill Kelly (29) throws against the Seattle Mariners in the first inning at Chase Field. Mandatory Credit: Rick Scuteri-Imagn Images
Jun 9, 2025; Phoenix, Arizona, USA; Arizona Diamondbacks pitcher Merrill Kelly (29) throws against the Seattle Mariners in the first inning at Chase Field. Mandatory Credit: Rick Scuteri-Imagn Images | Rick Scuteri-Imagn Images

As the Toronto Blue Jays continue to solidify their chances for a postseason berth, there is a glaring need to address if they are going to be serious contenders. Toronto needs another starter. Maybe that guy is some combination of Eric Lauer, Max Scherzer or perhaps Alek Manoah or Adam Macko can return from long injuries to give the Blue Jays a boost.

However, they may require some outside help and a recent article by Jim Bowden of The Athletic wrote about one difference-making trade each AL team could make. The trade he has proposed for the Blue Jays would be a no-doubt slam dunk of a deal that would immediately address their pitching woes. The deal he proposes is for the Blue Jays to acquire starting pitcher Merrill Kelly from the Diamondbacks for two minor league players; pitcher Kendry Rojas and infielder/outfielder Sam Shaw.

Proposed trade is a no-brainer for the Blue Jays

Bowden says the veteran Kelley would be a good fit for the Blue Jays to solidify one of the current two holes they have in the rotation. The 36-year-old right hander is having a very good season with the D-Backs, with a 3.41 ERA in 15 games, and he’s currently matching his career high of 0.9 HR/9 – something he achieved back in 2022. In 87 innings he’s struck out 86 batters, putting him in the top 15 among National League starters in overall strikeouts. He also has the fourth lowest WHIP in the senior circuit at 1.02.

The players going back to the Diamondbacks in this proposal is Rojas, a 22-year-old left-handed pitcher who has a plus fastball and slider but has had some history with shoulder issues. Shaw is a 20-year-old playing in Low A ball, who can move around the diamond, logging innings at second, centre field and left, with a .420 on-base percentage.

The Diamondbacks feel like they are at a crossroads now that their best pitcher Corbin Burnes is out for the season and their division rivals, the San Francisco Giants, just got a jump start on the trade deadline by acquiring Rafael Devers. By no means should the Diamondbacks (38-37) give up on the season, but they do have to make up their mind one way or the other on several players on their roster and that includes Kelly, who will be a free agent at the end of the season.

For the Blue Jays, getting a guy who can slot into the middle of the rotation and give the Blue Jays productive and efficient innings is certainly worth the cost of two lower-level prospects like Shaw and Rojas.