Trade rumors are running rampant on social media, including possible deals Toronto could make in the coming weeks. General manager Alex Anthopoulos has never been shy about pulling the trigger on deals and he needs to show that same style over the next two weeks for this team to have any shot at winning the AL East.
The latest updates from Bleacher Report have suggested that Cincinnati Reds starter Johnny Cueto is the top target of Anthopoulos. With a 6-6 record for a struggling Reds squad, the numbers don’t seem great, but a closer look at his 2.73 ERA this season and nearly nine strikeouts per nine innings pitched shows the 29-year-old is just the type of pitcher needed in Toronto.
The Blue Jays scored 77 more runs than any other team in baseball before the All Star break and similar production is expected over the second half of the season. Despite a 45-46 mark, this team is just 4.5 games out of the top spot in the division and adding a legitimate star on the mound could make a huge difference.
This team could also use a closer as former starter Brett Cecil isn’t the answer in the ninth inning of close games. Rumors have Jonathan Papelbon as a possible answer. The 34-year-old is a proven closer and has plenty of big game experience, both of which the Toronto Blue Jays lack in the bullpen.
Josh Donaldson told reporters he expects a trade or two in the near future and adding a front line pitcher would only boost the confidence of an already productive lineup. Adding one or both of the names mentioned above could make this squad the team to watch over the second half of the MLB season.
