Blue Jays SP Trade Targets

The Toronto Blue Jays are scuffling. They have lost three of four to the Tampa Bay Rays and are currently in third place in the American League East division. Their 14-game deficit to the first-place Yankees is their largest of the season. In order to remain competitive, Toronto will need to reinforce its pitching depth once again, as Hyun-Jin Ryu underwent Tommy John surgery in mid-June. Kevin Gausman may also be headed to the injured list after suffering an ankle contusion during Saturday’s doubleheader against Tampa.

UPDATE: RHP Kevin Gausman was removed from today's game with a right ankle contusion.

He underwent X-rays and they came back negative.

— Toronto Blue Jays (@BlueJays) July 2, 2022

Who’s Available?

Luis Castillo, RHP

Contract Status: Arb Eligible 2023, FA 2024

Record: 3-4

ERA: 3.32 (143 ERA+)

WHIP: 1.158

K9: 9.5

fWAR: 1.4

Castillo has rebounded nicely this year after suffering an MLB-leading 16 losses in 2021. La Piedra has been the subject of trade rumors for years, but the Reds have stood pat. As Cincinnati is one of the worst teams in MLB thus far, I believe there is little incentive for them to keep him around much longer.

Frankie Montas, RHP

Contract Status: Arb Eligible 2023, FA 2024

Record: 3-8

ERA: 3.20 (115 ERA+)

WHIP: 1.077

K9: 9.3

fWAR: 2.0

Oakland has the worst record in baseball and is actively tanking. Montas has been a top-30 starting pitcher this year, but health may be a concern for interested teams. The righthander was removed from Sunday’s outing against the Mariners due to shoulder tightness.

José Quintana, LHP

Contract Status: Signed through 2022

Record: 1-4

ERA: 3.43 (124 ERA+)

WHIP: 1.289

K9:7.9

fWAR: 1.3

Quintana has returned to his early-career form after a tough 2021 season with the Los Angeles Angles and San Francisco Giants. He is my pick to represent the Pittsburgh Pirates in this year’s All-Star Game, unless he is scooped up earlier. He would be a good choice if the Jays want to fill Ryu’s spot with another lefty.

Who Can Fans Dream About?

Shohei Ohtani, RHP

Contract Status: Arb Eligible 2023, FA 2024

Record: 7-4

ERA: 2.68 (147 ERA+)

WHIP: 1.014

K9: 12.3

fWAR: 1.7 as hitter, 2.3 as pitcher

Ohtani has 24 strikeouts over his last two outings and has five starts with double-digit strikeout totals. If the Angels are thinking about retooling the roster, the price tag will be high for a team looking to acquire the face of baseball.

Featured Image: Oakland, California – August 28, 2021. Frankie Montas, #47 of the Oakland Athletics, pitches against the New York Yankees at RingCentral Coliseum by Conor P. Fitzgerald / Shutterstock.com.