The Toronto Blue Jays need to add some pitching ahead of the trade deadline this season, or all their work will be for nothing.
The pitching staff in Toronto has talent, but not depth. Bowden Francis hasn’t been good this season, and the Blue Jays have been left with few options at the big league level. Still, they’re in contention for a postseason spot.
The Blue Jays will need to add one or two starting pitchers ahead of the trade deadline if they want to contend with the New York Yankees in the American League East, though.
Jeff Passan and Kiley McDaniel of ESPN recently listed the Blue Jays as one of the best fits in a potential trade for Kansas City Royals pitcher Seth Lugo.
“Lugo has posted mid-3.00s or lower ERAs for five seasons despite having below-average fastball velocity and good-not-great strikeout rates,” they wrote. “His ability to strand runners and limit hard contact comes in part due to his nine different pitches. With a Nathan Eovaldi-type contract awaiting Lugo in free agency, Kansas City could opt to move him, especially if Cole Ragans’ injured shoulder doesn’t improve.”
Lugo would be a huge upgrade for the Blue Jays. He’s quietly been one of the more dominant pitchers in the AL this season, holding an ERA around 3.00 and a WHIP around 1.00.
But the better part of this idea is the Blue Jays likely wouldn’t need to trade a King’s Ransom for Lugo like they would for other starters like Sandy Alcántara.
Having an affordable trade target would allow the Blue Jays to contend this year without sacrificing their farm system.
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