BALTIMORE – Toronto Blue Jays manager John Schneider slapped the chair into a familiar chair ahead of Monday's series opener at the Camden Yards. That was the same leather seat with faded wooden arms on it, which he perched before the 2024 trade deadline.
Last year, the manager watched from his office as Blue Jays veterans pulled tight on open doors, hoping to avoid career-changing chats. These conversations informed players such as Justin Turner and Yusei Kikuchi, which was the inevitable final deadline. The team arrived in Baltimore 50-56 to prepare for the expiring contract.
“The atmosphere,” Schneider said. “Everyone knows the reality of it, but still a little nervous.”
This year’s Bluebirds Club Club is not afraid or nervous. There was no massive sell-off, and Toronto scored 63-44 despite the Orioles losing Toronto 11-4 on Monday.
A league source said the Blue Jays are targeting a 2025 deadline. They hope to meet critical needs – leverage mitigation, spin depth and another bat – during the last period of October. Here are some obvious and inconspicuous candidates that can meet these needs by Thursday’s deadline:
Cowpentry
The easiest place to add is the back of the bullpen. The leverage relief package is very rich, and Toronto needs it, and Yimi García's future in 2025 is uncertain due to elbow problems.
Emmanuel Clase is not on the market, as Cleveland has been on paid leave in non-disciplines in a MLB sports betting survey until the end of August. Minnesota's Griffin Jax and Jhoan Duran both have elite strikeout weapons. As Aaron Gleeman wrote on Monday, the 30-year-old Jax is probably the cheapest of the two. Pittsburgh’s David Bednar and St. Louis Ryan Helsley represent the next high-leverage option.
This year, the lower level of the relief market also has depth, with several sets of men and middle rescuers crossing the previous season. Jay, who is expected to add multiple relief workers during the deadline, may trade at least one within that range. Minnesota left-hander Danny Coulombe, a pending free agent, entered Monday with a 1.16 ERA and 1.96 FIP. Andrew Kittredge of Baltimore returned to his career norm after missing the first two months after suffering a knee injury.
Another option for Radar is Cardinal veteran Phil Maton, who has been a decade-long career as an unparalleled middle-level reliefist. From 2017 to 2023, he had just the right league average era (4.25), recording only one save. But, since the 2024 deadline exchange with the Mets, Marton has been one of the best right-handed rescuers in the Major League Baseball. His breakout ball was more moving than ever, and he added a sinker to the mix of the court. Maton has 2.35 ERA this season, and the elite's perimeter numbers are closer.
Rotate
Schneider said he felt “very good” about Toronto's current starting rotation ahead of his loss in Baltimore on Monday. Max Scherzer's thumb seems to be a blasting issue, Eric Lauer is dealing with, while Alek Manoah is closer to the contribution of MLB.
After the deadline, Joe Ryan or Sandy Alcantara enters the clubhouse in Toronto and they will have a rotational position. However, the stability at the start of five makes a viable depth starter or swingman look easier to fit with Jays.
Track and Field’s Jeffrey Springs is a clear swingman who started 57 games throughout his career and released 110 games throughout his career. Steven Matz (Cardinal) and Sean Newcomb (Track and Field) both have one of the following four eras this season, from rotation to bullpen.
Baltimore Orioles outfielder Ramón Laureano plays two corners and is still at the pace of 23 home runs despite some playing time. (Patrick Smith/Getty Image)
bat
Even if Daulton Varsho and Andrés Giménez end on the Big League Return, Jays can use another bat before the deadline. Anthony Santander has been weeks after the impact due to a shoulder injury early in the season, Toronto can target the rent batsman to replace his switch batsman.
Baltimore's Ramón Laureano brought similar skills to Santander after a home run against Jays on Monday. He both plays outfield corners, hitting the left and right shots left and right, and despite some playing time, he still steps on 23 home runs. Outfielders Taylor Ward (Angel), Luis Robert Jr. (White Sox) and Adolis García (Rangers) provide similar profiles in peak form.
Or, Jays could move from a power-based target, waving for Steven Kwan of Cleveland. With one of the league’s best outfield weapons and elite contact skills, Guan En has been an average hitter for three of his four MLB seasons. Quain hit .285 with 99 games this year.
According to other executives, the Guardian and Andrew Baggarly wrote on Sunday that “it’s known to be difficult to reach a deal.” However, Jays has a lot of front desk connections in Cleveland, making it work in recent seasons, recently acquiring Andrés Giménez and Nick Sandlin in the offseason.
George Springer quits due to HBP
Springer hit the ninth inning Monday at 96 mph in Baltimore rescuer Kade Strowd. The veteran stepped out of the field with his own strength after Toronto's medical staff helped Springer stand up.
“He did a great job,” Schneider said. “A little bit of putting his shoulders, then the helmet. Luckily, he was able to turn a little bit, too.”
After the game, Springer met with the doctors in Toronto and the team will determine if further testing is needed.
(Top photo by Joe Ryan: Matt Krohn/Getty image)