The AL East race is the tightest in the MLB. One game separates the fourth-place Toronto Blue Jays from the first-place Baltimore Orioles and Tampa Bay Rays. However, every team has its flaws, and Blue Jays' general manager Alex Anthopoulos knows what areas he'll address before the trade deadline.
"We still need to make upgrades in the rotation and the bullpen, that goes without saying," the GM told Jeff Blair and Kevin Barker on Sportsnet 590 The FAN Monday.
"I'd love to land both. What we come away with or don't come away with I have no idea. Clearly we're looking to be active. We're looking to add and make the club a lot better."
Trade rumors have linked the club with a number of top pitchers, but it's been quiet on that front as of late.
Toronto has the best offense in the MLB, but their pitching is among the worst, ranking 24th in ERA (4.12). While the club needs to address both the rotation and the bullpen, the starters have perhaps been a bigger part of the problem. Their 4.40 ERA ranks 23rd and there's no help in sight.
The plans began to come off the rails in spring training when Marcus Stroman tore his ACL. Toronto figured they had solid in-house options with prospects Daniel Norris and Aaron Sanchez. However, Norris was sent back down to Triple-A Buffalo in the beginning of May to sort out some control issues with his pitching and competitive nature. Then Sanchez began dealing with upper body soreness in the beginning of June and has made only one start in the past month.
As for the others ...
R.A. Dickey (4.85 ERA) and Drew Hutchison (4.99 ERA) have been unable to perform consistently. Mark Buerhle (3.81 ERA) has really been the only reliable starter and Marco Estrada (3.45 ERA) has made some good starts since joining the rotation in May. The latest addition is 24-year-old Matt Boyd, who showed potential in his first career start over the weekend.
However, the Blue Jays need some more security in the rotation if they hope to break their 21-year postseason drought.
"If Toronto goes and gets two pitchers at the deadline, which is possible because they have the money to do it, then they become the team to beat [in the AL East]," ESPN's Tim Kurkjian said on Baseball Tonight.
Nick Cafardo of the Boston Globe noted the Blue Jays were checking out White Sox starter Jeff Samardzija as well as Red Sox right-hander Clay Buchholz, but their availability at the deadline is largely unknown. They've also been linked to left-handers Cole Hamels (PHI) and Scott Kazmir (OAK), while right-hander Johnny Cueto (CIN) was loosely thrown around.
Hamels recently told Jim Salisbury of CSN Philly that he's "open-minded on everybody and everything," including the Blue Jays, where rumors previously suggested he blocked a deal with his no-trade clause.
Others who could become available because they're slated for free agency after the season include Jordan Zimmermann (WSH), Doug Fister (WSH), Dan Haren (MIA), Mat Latos (MIA), Ian Kennedy (SD), Mike Leake (CIN) and Aaron Harang (PHI).
Anthopoulos didn't provide any specifics, but it's likely he's taking a look at some of these names.
As for the bullpen, it ranks 15th with a 3.53 ERA, but the cast of relievers recently went 34 straight games without a save. Toronto has been linked to Phillies' closer Jonathan Papelbon and Brewers' closer Francisco Rodriguez, but their salaries are perhaps hampering trade talks.
Jays' lefty Brett Cecil was removed from the closer role due to his struggles and he was replaced with 20-year-old right-hander Roberto Osuna, who has two saves in the past week. However, Toronto may want to add another veteran just to ensure stability in the back end of the bullpen.
The trade deadline is a month away and the Blue Jays will undoubtedly fill these voids as long as they remain the tight AL East race. Look for Anthopoulos to acquire a starter and a reliever within the month.