Teams have about five days remaining to make trades before acquired players are ineligible for postseason rosters, but the Blue Jays, who hold a two-game lead in the AL East, appear to be finished making moves. As MLB.com’s Gregor Chisholm writes, general manager Alex Anthopoulos doesn’t envision another trade in Toronto’s future.
“I’d say unlikely at this point,” Anthopoulos said when asked about the odds of completing another deal. “We have five days left, anything can happen, but right now I wouldn’t expect us to do anything.”
The Blue Jays, of course, have been the most active team in baseball, at least in terms of completing trades. Since July 28, Toronto has acquired Troy Tulowitzki, LaTroy Hawkins, David Price, Mark Lowe, Ben Revere and Cliff Pennington in trades. Chisholm notes in his column that the Pennington trade — the lone August deal swung by Anthopoulos to this point — was made due to doubts about whether or not Devon Travis will return in 2015. Those doubts still exist, he continues, but the Blue Jays feel that even if Travis doesn’t return, a platoon of Ryan Goins and Pennington is acceptable. The rest of the lineup is so potent, Chisholm explains, that the Jays are content to deploy a pair of premium defenders at the position.
The Blue Jays are 18-4 since the non-waiver trade deadline and don’t necessarily have a glaring need on the roster, though one could make the case that left-handed relief help and a reliable fifth starter are at least potential areas of upgrade. Drew Hutchison will return in September, though the talented righty has been wildly inconsistent in 2015. Likewise, Marcus Stroman could return to the team after a quicker-than-expected recovery from a torn ACL.
Suffice it to say, however, the Blue Jays lack a particularly glaring need. Anthopoulos didn’t rule out making any sort of move, so he could of course be characteristically active on the waiver wire in the coming days if he feels there’s one last upgrade for his club out there.
Toronto, like other clubs, will be getting some additional depth in five days when rosters expand, though Anthopoulos also told reporters that the Jays aren’t looking at a particularly large group of September call-ups, per Sportsnet’s Shi Davidi (Twitter link). Anthopoulos said the plan was to go with “as small a group as we can,” and Davidi notes that will be about six to eight players.
They could probably use another effective LHP reliever. That’s really about it.
The 2013 version of Aaron Loup would fit the bill. Now all we need to do is build a time machine and swap Aaron Loup with Aaron Loup.
Stroman’s got a good chance to pitch in September according to AA.
I’m a die hard Yankee fan, but I went to school with stroman played with him and against him on Long Island. He’s a freak he will be back by the playoffs and if I’m the blue jays I throw him in the 9th the rest of the year and watch the Ks pile up…his character is domint closer to the TEE it’s just his stuff is Nasty and has so much talent that’s why he starts…look at his team USA numbers when he closed he literally vrs like 28 batters and stuck out 24-26 something crazy like that
Not a chance the Jays move Roberto Osuna from the 9th inning unless he falls apart. Dude has been lights out this year as a 20 year old. Stroman will have a role, but it’s more likely long relief and eventually starting if needed.
The way Osuna has been pitching you really don’t need Stroman as the closer. If he can start, great! Otherwise I’m happier to consider his future as our bullpen has been pretty lights out.