Will Ross Atkins swing for the fences, or will he be more modest at trade deadline?

In just 11 days we'll have our answer. For months speculation has run rampant about what the Toronto Blue Jays will do at the trade deadline. When the season began there was a real possiblity that the Blue Jays would be entering the deadline by entertaining phone calls on the best trades for Vladimir Guerrero Jr.

Guerrero entered the season as an impending free agent, before signing a franchise record contract extension, meaning the Blue Jays are light years away from having to make a difficult call on a franchise player. Not only do they not have to trade Vladdy, but they are also in position to add to the team.

Currently sitting in a playoff position, Blue Jays GM Ross Atkins has never been in a position quite like this during his nine years at the helm. Yes, the Blue Jays have been in a playoff spot at the deadline, and yes they have gone out and added to the team, but this is the first time they have been in first place. The first time they really feel like they are maybe a couple of players away from not only being division champions, but possibly being one of the top three teams in the entire American League. So what can we predict about Atkins' game plan for the deadline that is looming ever closer?

Reason one he'll swing for the fences: He's already hinted at being aggressive

Speaking with reporters a few weeks ago, Atkins said the team is "in a strong position" but "we obviously can be better and we'll focus on that." A further report suggested, "Atkins says the Blue Jays are looking to add a right-handed bat. Pitching depth sounds like another priority ahead of the deadline and the Jays should be able to continue to flex their financial muscle - with ownership fully supporting them."

That must sound like music to the ears of long time Blue Jays fans. A GM who recognizes the areas of need and openly suggests they are looking at ways to fix it at the deadline. And there are deals to be had. With the gaps starting to widen between the playoff contenders and the playoff pretenders, teams will start to make decisions on their impending free agents, and seeing what they can get by dangling some players on the market.

In the pitching department the Blue Jays have been linked to names like Zac Gallen, Seth Lugo, Merrill Kelly, and even Freddy Peralta, while there's also an abundance of bullpen arms that are getting more and more attention. On the hitting side, the Blue Jays could be targeting Ryan O'Hearn, Josh Naylor, and Eugenio Suárez.

Most of those acquisitions will likely not be cheap, but they could be the one move that gets Toronto over the hump and finally gets this group a playoff series win - or more.