The Toronto Blue Jays just climbed back to .500 after a home win over Houston, sitting at 39-39. That might not sound like much to brag about. But given where they were a few weeks ago, it’s at least something to build on. Last season ended in a World Series appearance. This year has been a grind, and the pitching staff is a big reason why.
General manager Ross Atkins is already looking ahead to the July trade deadline, and he gave a pretty clear hint about what he’s after. According to MLB.com’s Keegan Matheson, Atkins said starting pitching is the priority. But here’s the twist: he specifically wants an optionable starter. Someone who can be sent down to the minors if needed, without going through waivers. Those guys are hard to find, especially at the deadline when every contender wants depth.
The Blue Jays have dealt with a rotating door on the mound. Max Scherzer has been in and out because of injuries, and it’s not just him. Multiple arms have missed time, forcing the team to patch things together. That’s not a recipe for a deep run, even if the bats are starting to wake up.
Atkins also hinted at wanting a pitcher with team control beyond 2026. That’s a longer view than a typical rental. It suggests Toronto wants someone who can stick around and stabilize the rotation for a couple of years, not just a two-month fix.
The big name out there is Detroit’s Tarik Skubal. But let’s be real. The Tigers aren’t going to move him for anything less than a massive haul. The Blue Jays probably aren’t going to be the team that pays that price, especially given how tight the American League wild card race is already shaping up to be.
So what does that leave? Maybe a mid-tier arm with a few years of control. A guy like that might not move the needle in a single headline, but he’d help with depth and give the team some breathing room. The trade market is still taking shape, but Atkins is at least being honest about what he needs.
The Blue Jays host the Astros again Tuesday afternoon. If the pitching holds up, maybe they can string together a few wins and make the front office’s deadline shopping list a little more ambitious.
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