The Toronto Blue Jays are one of the best teams in baseball, yet they desperately need to add a starting pitcher at the trade deadline.
For the Blue Jays, it would be crucial to add a pitcher with some team control on his contract to avoid losing the arm at the end of the season.
FanSided’s Christopher Kline recently pitched a blockbuster trade idea that would send Pittsburgh Pirates pitcher Mitch Keller to the Blue Jays in exchange for prospects Yohendrick Pinago, Josh Kasevich, and Lazaro Estrada.
“Toronto gets an immediate postseason-caliber starter in Keller, who has a 3.53 ERA and 1.16 WHIP through 21 starts and 125.0 innings this season. Keller has at least 31 appearances and 29-plus starts in each of his last three seasons, on track for four straight,” Kline wrote. “Injuries can strike at random, but Keller is a paragon of availability. On the other hand, Pittsburgh gets a compelling package of prospects to reorient the roster.
“Yohendrick Pinago, 23, has a .737 OPS in 39 games with Triple-A Buffalo after mashing in Double-A. Josh Kasevich, 24, is an “organizational favorite,” per MLB Pipeline, known for his workmanlike attitude and intense professionalism. Lázaro Estrada, 26, made his first big-league start earlier this month, allowing two hits and one earned run in four rock-solid innings against the Los Angeles Angels. He has a 5.08 ERA across 17 appearances (16 starts) in Triple-A.”
This is the kind of trade idea that makes sense for both sides.
The Blue Jays need a pitcher with control, and Keller fits that. Toronto added to its farm system last season, so it can trade from it this year. This deal wouldn’t crush the Blue Jays’ system, but it would add another top-of-the-line starter to the rotation in Toronto.
For the Pirates, trading Keller isn’t necessary, but their farm system is loaded with talent. The righty isn’t ever going to hold more trade value than he does right now, so it might make sense for Pittsburgh to strike while the iron is hot.
It would be a loss to the big league roster, but multiple top arms are knocking on the door of the big leagues for the Pirates. It wouldn’t take long to replace Keller.
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