Toronto Blue Jays Trade Rumors: Tracking Hot Updates, News and Reaction
Pitching, pitching and more pitching.
That's how Toronto general manager Alex Anthopoulos' "to-do list" reads as the trade deadline draws near. The Blue Jays, with baseball's most potent offense, emerge from the All-Star break with a losing record (45-46) thanks largely in part to a shaky starting rotation and erratic bullpen.
While the team's farm system isn't quite as deep as it once was, the Blue Jays have enough to add the pieces that they need. But as Sportsnet's Shi Davidi notes, Anthopoulos is "believed to have about $5-6 million to work with in available payroll."
That's not a lot of money, especially for a GM who is looking to make multiple moves. Further complicating matters, according to Davidi, is that virtually every team Anthopoulos talks to is asking for the injured Marcus Stroman as part of any potential trade.
That's not happening.
But standing pat at the deadline simply isn't an option, and the rumor mill in Toronto is going to be active in the weeks leading up to the trade deadline as a result. Keep it here for the most up-to-the-minute rumblings about the Jays along with analysis and everything else that comes with it.
While the post date will always show as July 15, this tracker will be constantly updated. Simply click to the next slide to see the latest from the rumor mill as the Blue Jays look to end a two-decade postseason absence.
Done Deals
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July 28: Acquired RHP LaTroy Hawkins and SS Troy Tulowitzki from the Colorado Rockies for RHP Miguel Castro, RHP Jeff Hoffman, SS Jose Reyes and RHP Jesus Tinoco.
July 30: Acquired LHP David Price from the Toronto Blue Jays for LHPs Matt Boyd, Jairo Labourt and Daniel Norris.
July 31: Acquired RHP Mark Lowe from the Seattle Mariners in exchange for LHP Nick Wells, LHP Jacob Brentz and LHP Rob Rasmussen
July 31: Traded LHP Felix Doubront to the Oakland Athletics in exchange for cash
July 31: Acquired OF Ben Revere from the Philadelphia Phillies in exchange for RHP Jimmy Cordero and RHP Alberto Tirado
July 31: Acquire Ben Revere from Phillies
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The Philadelphia Phillies will trade outfielder Ben Revere to the Toronto Blue Jays, according to MLB.com's Todd Zolecki. Per Fox Sports' Ken Rosenthal, the Phillies will receive right-handers Jimmy Cordero and Alberto Tirado.
Update: Friday, July 31 at 11:53 a.m. ET
The Blue Jays aren't interested in Revere at the current asking Price, according to ESPN's Buster Olney.
Friday, July 31 at 11:05 a.m. ET
Talks to send Revere to the Toronto Blue Jays are "heating up," according to CSNPhilly.com's Jim Salisbury.
In 2015, Revere is hitting .298 through 96 games and has 13 doubles and six triples. Using his speed, he has also swiped 24 bases in 29 attempts.
The 27-year-old outfielder is under club control through the 2017 season.
July 31: Acquire RHP Mark Lowe from Mariners
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The Toronto Blue Jays have acquired reliever Mark Lowe from the Seattle Mariners in exchange for left-handers Nick Wells, Jacob Brentz and Rob Rasmussen.
Lowe has been great in 2015, posting a 1.00 ERA and a 1.167 WHIP. His strikeouts per nine innings (11.8) and walks per nine (2.8) are each easily the best of his career.
Yovani Gallardo to the Jays?
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Update: Thursday, July 30 at 2:01 p.m. ET
Toronto is still looking to add to its rotation even after the David Price trade, and are among the teams showing the most interest in Gallardo, according to CBS Sports' Jon Heyman.
--End of Update--
Update, Thursday, July 30 at 10:57 a.m. ET
Gallardo, who has limited no-trade protection, would waive it and accept a deal to Toronto, tweets Jeff Wilson of the Fort Worth Star-Telegram.
--End of Update--
Update: Thursday, July 30 at 10:46 a.m. ET
The Blue Jays are still interested in Gallardo, according to MLB.com's T.R. Sullivan. Texas remains open to a deal so long as the return is worth their while.
--End of Update--
Wednesday, July 22 at 6:05 p.m. ET
CBS Sports' Jon Heyman lists Toronto, along with Houston, Kansas City and Los Angeles (NL) as the most likely landing spots for Texas starter Yovani Gallardo, who is expected to be traded.
July 30: Acquired LHP David Price from Tigers
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David Price is a Blue Jay.
One of the game’s premier starters and a former AL Cy Young Award winner, it goes without saying that Price’s arrival immediately upgrades Toronto’s rotation and elevates its chances of reaching the postseason.
As durable and reliable as they come, Price is an ace in every sense of the word, has experience in both the AL East and the playoffs, and is capable of shutting down the opposition every time he steps on the mound.
With an elite pitch-framer like Russell Martin behind the plate, Price's best may still be yet to come.
Yes, acquiring Price came at a steep cost—three left-handed pitchers that all figure to become fixtures in Detroit's rotation over the next few yearsand it’s unlikely that he’ll re-sign with the Jays after the season.
But the future is now in Toronto, and between the additions of Troy Tulowitzki and now Price, the Blue Jays have gone from fringe contender to legitimate threat.
July 28: Acquired SS Troy Tulowitzki
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Nobody saw this one coming.
A five-time All-Star, the 30-year-old's numbers have always been inflated by Coors Field, with a career .951 OPS at home, nearly 140 points above his .819 OPS on the road. But a move to the hitter-friendly confines of the Rogers Centre should help to mitigate that drop in production somewhat.
That said, Tulo hasn't played in more than 130 games since 2011, and the daily pounding of the artificial turf in Toronto has to be something of a concern for his durability.
As for the finances...Tulowitzki is making $20 million this season and is guaranteed $98 million through the 2020 season. That number will increase to $109 million if his 2021 option is picked up.
Additionally, as Fox Sports' Ken Rosenthal notes, Tulo will receive a $2 million bonus as a result of the trade and now has a full no-trade clause in effect.
As for LaTroy Hawkins, the 42-year-old brings experience and a knack for keeping the ball on the ground to Toronto's bullpen. While he has experience closing, he figures to work as one of the primary setup men for closer Roberto Osuna.
Toronto in the Lead for Samardzija?
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Update: Monday, July 27 at 8:51 p.m. ET
CSN Chicago's Dan Hayes says that Toronto is making the biggest push to acquire Jeff Samardzija from the White Sox, while noting that San Francisco has recently thrown their hat into the ring as a possible landing spot.
--End of Update--
Wednesday, July 22 at 6:18 p.m. ET
CBS Sports' Jon Heyman believes Toronto is one of the most likely destinations for Chicago's Jeff Samardzija, listing the Houston Astros, Los Angeles Dodgers and New York Yankees as the other potential landing spots.
While he may be more of a No. 2 starter than a true ace, he has once again shown the ability to put up ace-like numbers. Over his last seven starts, Samardzija has pitched to a 2.77 ERA and 1.04 WHIP, holding the opposition to a .231/.287/.328 slash line in the process.
The White Sox aren't rebuilding—they're re-tooling—and will likely be looking for controllable pieces that are nearly ready for the big leagues.
Cleveland and Toronto Have Discussed Carlos Carrasco
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Thursday, July 23 at 2:40 p.m. ET
While it's not clear what Cleveland might be looking for in return, Yahoo! Sports' Jeff Passan tweets that the Blue Jays have talked to the Indians about a potential deal for 28-year-old starter Carlos Carrasco.
Carrasco has gone 10-7 with a 3.94 ERA (2.81 FIP) and 1.17 WHIP in 19 starts this season, walking only 24 batters while striking out 128 over 114.1 innings of work. He's under team control through at least the 2018 season.
Would San Diego Pay Enough of James Shields' Deal to Make Him a Fit in Toronto?
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Wednesday, July 22 at 7:20 p.m. ET
Toronto's payroll issues are no secret, so the idea that the Blue Jays could somehow fit James Shields,who is due at least $64 million through 2018 into their rotation seems pretty far-fetched.
But that didn't stop CBS Sports' Jon Heyman from listing Toronto as one of the potential landing spots for the veteran starter, who has been solid but unspectacular in his first year in San Diego, pitching to a 3.92 ERA (4.20 FIP) and 1.32 WHIP.
Depending on how much of his contract the Padres are willing to eat, it's not out of the realm of possibility that Shields could make his return to the AL East with the Jays.
San Diego's Ian Kennedy Is on Toronto's Radar
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Monday, July 20 at 5:10 p.m. ET
San Diego is looking to sell, and the Blue Jays have interest in 30-year-old starter Ian Kennedy, according to a report from Peter Gammons.
Kennedy's numbers on the year aren't pretty (4.91 ERA, 5.44 FIP), but he's been far better away from Petco Park (3.80 ERA) than he has been in San Diego's pitcher-friendly confines (6.18 ERA). Those splits suggest that the soon-to-be free agent would benefit substantially from a change of scenery.
A free agent at the end of the year, Kennedy owns a 4.00 ERA and 1.28 WHIP across parts of nine major league seasons.
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