Toronto Blue Jays: Ideal trade deadline candidates to acquire

The Toronto Blue Jays need help in the bullpen but which pitchers can they look to acquire? Here are some options to consider at the trade deadline.

There will be plenty of chatter leading up to the Toronto Blue Jays trade deadline and it could be similar to what the team went through in 2015.

Many of you might recall how the additions of David Price and Troy Tulowitzki elevated Toronto into a World Series contender and one of the more enjoyable summers in recent memory. That team hit a new gear after the trade deadline and this current group seems on the cusp of the same but certainly needs a boost.

The Blue Jays will be one of many buyers ahead of the trade deadline but how many teams are willing to commit to being sellers will determine how much they add.

Will they be one of the teams that will push hard for Max Scherzer? This will all depend on what they are willing to part with and how much they believe in their playoff chances.

Considering the offence continues to bring the production level it needs to be a contender, the team’s priority will be pitching. Of course, the bullpen is the focus given how many games the team continues to see lose by blowing leads.

With that being said, here are the ideal trade targets the team should be looking to add at the trade deadline.

Toronto Blue Jays: Richard Rodriguez remains an intriguing bullpen option

There will be a lot of interest in relievers that can close out games and Richard Rodriguez is one of those players that will be on the Blue Jays radar.

Rodriguez is in his fourth season with the Pittsburgh Pirates and has been the team’s closer in 2021. In 37 games, the 31-year-old is 4-2 with a 2.82 ERA and 33 strikeouts in 38.1 innings.

Rodriguez doesn’t pitch hard with his four-seam fastball averaging 93 mph but he also relies on his slider and his ability to avoids walks and homers make him a strong closer.

What makes Rodriguez a prime target for the Blue Jays is the fact that he has two more years of control remaining and is only making $1.7 million this season. He will be due a pay raise in arbitration but that certainly is something the Blue Jays should covet.

It will likely cost Toronto a couple of prospects in a deal but to get immediate help now and going forward will definitely be worth it if he continues to produce.