Ross Atkins needs to back up his recent talk with his best Blue Jays deadline

The Toronto Blue Jays just capped off possibly their greatest homestand in franchise history. They sit a firm three games ahead of the Yankees in first place and aren't looking back after securing their ninth straight win. As obvious as it is, Toronto will be looking to buy at the MLB Trade Deadline since their playoff chances are soaring. Ross Atkins has a big task ahead of him and he has already came out with some bold claims that he must back up if he is serious about winning.

Recent Ross Atkins talk and other analysts show that this needs to be the best trade deadline from Atkins in his Blue Jays tenure.

In Bob Nightengales recent article in USA Today, he noted a bold claim from Atkins regarding his plans at the deadline. He wrote, "Blue Jays GM Ross Atkins also boldly stated that the Blue Jays will be ultra-aggressive at the trade deadline, seeking a starter and a catcher."

A starter is a no-brainer, but a catcher? Alejandro Kirk has been worth every penny of his extension and Tyler Heineman has been nothing short of impressive in his limited role as the backup. Nighengale stating that is definitely odd considering this duo has accounted for a 4.4 fWAR this season, but it couldn't hurt to add a third to the mix in the event one gets hurt.

Adding a pitcher though makes a lot more sense than a catcher. The Blue Jays need another front end starter in this rotation and preferably one with control as three arms are going to hit free agency after this season.

Joe Siddall, an analyst for the Blue Jays, also came out stating some relevant insight on this pitcher talk too. He stated, "I don't just want a starting pitcher, I want the highest end starting pitcher you can get. The way the American League is this year, is this not the year to be absolutely all-in and go for something? The Blue Jays can beat anybody."

The only trade deadline where Atkins has seemed to go 'all-in' was in 2021 when he brought in José Berrios, sending two top five prospects in the organization for him. Now we'd hate to lose Arjun Nimmalla or Trey Yesavage, but this team is seriously a World Series contender and Atkins should do whatever it takes to take Toronto there.

Will it be Sandy Alcantara? Mitch Keller? Seth Lugo? A front end starter is definitely needed to get there and Toronto has the assets to acquire one. There is less than a month to go until the trade deadline. It is time for Atkins to back his words up and truly go all in this deadline.