Why the Blue Jays should target a Minnesota Twins pitcher at the trade deadline

Currently, there are only five teams 10 or more games back in their league's Wild Card race (Rockies, White Sox, Athletics, Nationals, and Braves). Which means not many teams are guaranteed sellers at the trade deadline. The Blue Jays need starting pitching depth with Bowden Francis and Alex Manoah on the injured list, although Manoah is nearing a rehab start.

Eric Lauer has been filling in for the starting rotation while Francis and Manoah have been out. While Lauer has been great in his role, there's an argument to be made that he would be even more useful in the bullpen to relieve Brendon Little's workload. Little has usually been the only left-handed reliever on the 26-man roster while Lauer has been starting games. Justin Bruihl was just recalled, but he had pitched only 3 1/3 innings in his first MLB stint this season.

The Blue Jays' front office will be watching teams that struggle over the next few weeks to see if additional teams will become sellers. One team to watch is the Minnesota Twins, who have a series with the Pirates, Dodgers, Nationals, and Red Sox before the trade deadline that could further derail their 44-47 record.

Why the Blue Jays should target Twins pitcher Chris Paddack at the trade deadline

If the Twins decide to be sellers, then Chris Paddack will be a starting pitcher who could be dealt. He's in his last season of the three-year contract he signed in 2022, and getting him wouldn't cost one of the Blue Jays' top prospects. Paddack has been injury-prone with his 95 1/3 innings this season being his third-most over his six-year career. The righty will be 30 next season, so the Twins could opt to trade him even if they are in contention, to see how their prospects perform and acquire a younger prospect.

This wouldn't be the sexiest acquisition, but his 4.64 ERA is somewhat misleading, as it was 3.53 just five starts ago, before surrendering eight earned runs to the Houston Astros. The Blue Jays aren't getting Paddack for this reason, though; they would be acquiring him for his success against their AL East foes this season.

Paddack has faced everyone except the New York Yankees this season, posting a 2.88 ERA, and a 17:6 strikeout:walk ratio in five games (two of those are against the Tampa Bay Rays). He even threw six innings against the Blue Jays on June 7, striking out two, allowing four hits, and two earned runs. The righty gave up an RBI single in the top of the first inning to Nathan Lukes, and a home run to Tyler Heinman in the top of the second inning. The Twins' starter would then allow only one more hit over the next four innings.

Assuming Paddack stays healthy, this trade could greatly benefit the Blue Jays. Yes, it's not obtaining a top-tier arm that the fans are hoping for, but it gives the team another experienced arm that has shown success against the AL East teams this season. Teams who are now looking up at the Blue Jays in the standings. Additionally, acquiring the Twins pitcher should allow the Blue Jays to hold onto some of their top prospects.