There's been a lot of scrutiny on the Toronto Blue Jays as potential trade deadline sellers of late. But what if they are buyers instead?
Thursday night's game showed that as long as the Blue Jays have Vladimir Guerrero Jr., they have a chance. Guerrero's dramatic three-run homer in the bottom of the eighth inning against the Boston Red Sox boosted Toronto back to within a game of .500 at 15-16.
If Toronto is indeed in a buying mood by the deadline, it will be intriguing to see what positions they target. Outfield seems like a possibility, and then every contending team is on the prowl for relief pitching.
What if, one baseball writer asks, the Blue Jays are the team best suited to land the top reliever who projects to be available at the deadline?
On Thursday, Clutchpoints' Zachary Howell named St. Louis Cardinals closer Ryan Helsley, a two-time National League All-Star and Reliever of the Year, as a top hypothetical trade target for the Jays at the Jul. 31 deadline.
"Helsley turned heads when he racked up 49 saves (last season)," Howell wrote. "The closer still carries respect around the league, and multiple teams are interested in adding Helsley.
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"The 30-year-old is in desperate need of a change of scenery, and the Blue Jays could be a great fit for him."
Helsley has allowed four earned runs through 10 innings this season, striking out 10 and walking an uncharacteristic eight batters. Four of those walks came in one inning, so as long as that control problem doesn't persist, his numbers should get back to his career norms.
Helsley is making just over $8 million this year, and Spotrac projects him for a six-year, $81 million deal in free agency over the winter. While that number may not be out there from another team, it does feel as though Toronto would be seeking a rental rather than a long-term fit.
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