The 2023 MLB trade deadline is less than 24 hours aways, and like every team in contention for the playoffs, the Blue Jays are looking to strengthen their roster for an October push.
Toronto is in the midst of another strong season, currently in position for an AL wild-card spot, but also in a battle for the AL East title.
The Blue Jays don't have a ton of weaknesses on the roster. The offense has underwhelmed slightly, but it still ranks among the best in the league. Toronto has a solid top half of the starting rotation with Kevin Gausman, Chris Bassitt and Jose Berrios, and the bullpen has been stellar throughout the season, although it recently took a big hit.
With that said, there are always ways to improve the roster, and general manager Ross Atkins plans to explore all options at the deadline.
"We need to make this team better in any possible way," Atkins said ahead of the deadline.
MORE: Latest updates on Jordan Romano's injury status
The Sporting News will be tracking all the latest rumors and moves involving the Blue Jays ahead of the MLB trade deadline.
When is the 2023 MLB trade deadline?
- Date: Tuesday, Aug. 1
- Time: 6 p.m. ET
Teams have until 6 p.m. ET on Tuesday, Aug. 1 to complete a trade. Both clubs must file paperwork to the league office before that time.
The new collective bargaining agreement that ended the 2022 spring training lockout gives the commissioner the authority to set the trade deadline each year "on a date between July 28th and August 3rd." MLB opted for the back half of that range this year.
MLB trade deadline 2023: Tracking the latest Blue Jays news, rumors
Tuesday Aug. 1
Blue Jays acquire Paul DeJong from the Cardinals
With the recent injury to Bo Bichette, the Blue Jays were considered to be players for a replacement. They get that in Paul DeJong, a shortstop from the Cardinals.
The 29-year-old infielder is batting .233 this year with 13 HRs and 32 RBIs. Both of Toronto's previous trades for Genesis Cabrera and Jordan Hicks were with St. Louis, so there is very recent trade history between the two clubs.
Update: Blue Jays and Cardinals are close to finalizing the Paul DeJong trade. @MLBNetwork @MLB https://t.co/h8c5wNv5pu
— Jon Morosi (@jonmorosi) August 1, 2023
Cardinals receive RHP Matt Svanson in the Paul DeJong deal. @MLBPipeline @MLBNetwork @MLB
— Jon Morosi (@jonmorosi) August 1, 2023
Blue Jays viewed as 'frontrunners' for Teoscar Hernandez
A Teoscar Hernandez trade out of Seattle has felt inevitable, and it could be a familiar landing spot for the outfielder. According to Hector Gomes, Toronto is reportedly the "frontrunner" to land Hernandez, who has also gained interest from the Twins and Yankees.
Hernandez previously spent six seasons with the Blue jays before he was traded in 2022 offseason. He is batting .238 this season with 16 HRs and 59 RBIs.
The #BlueJays emerge as the front-runners to acquire Teoscar Hernandez. https://t.co/eqOw99VOT6
— Héctor Gómez (@hgomez27) August 1, 2023
Blue Jays could be shopping for shortstop help after Bo Bichette injury
Bo Bichette was hurt in the final game before the trade deadline, suffering a leg injury as he rounded first base. While shortstop was not a position of concern prior, Toronto could pivot and be looking to add insurance in the middle infield. It's unclear how long Bichette will be out.
The Jays expect to get more info about Bichette's injury by noon today, which will give them some clarity as they make decisions before the deadline.
— Buster Olney (@Buster_ESPN) August 1, 2023
.@jonmorosi gives the latest on the Jays' deadline approach following Bo Bichette's exit from yesterday's game and mentions some key names to keep an eye on in Seattle.#TradeDeadline | #MLBCentral pic.twitter.com/ODe9ZcftnO
— MLB Network (@MLBNetwork) August 1, 2023
Monday, July 31
Blue Jays remain tied to Teoscar Hernandez
Teoscar Hernandez continues to be a name to watch at the deadline, and the Blue Jays are reportedly interested. Hernandez spent five seasons in Toronto before he was traded in the 2022 offseason to the Mariners. This year, he is hitting .238 with 16 home runs and 59 RBIs.
Sources: Mariners OF Teoscar Hernández is drawing interest from at least a half-dozen teams, and a trade is increasingly likely before 6 pm ET tomorrow.
— Jon Morosi (@jonmorosi) August 1, 2023
The Phillies, Blue Jays and Giants are among the clubs that have been involved. @MLBNetwork @SeattleSports @FAN590
Blue Jays looking to add right-handed bats
MLB Network's Jon Morosi reported Sunday and Monday that the Blue Jays are looking to add right-handed bats to the lineup. There could be a play for a potential reunion with Teoscar Hernandez, who was traded by Toronto in the winter of 2022 for Erik Swanson and prospect Adam Macko.
The Mariners' willingness to listen on Ty France and Teoscar Hernandez, per @BNightengale, is a significant development.
— Jon Morosi (@jonmorosi) July 31, 2023
Several teams -- Blue Jays, Brewers, Giants, Phillies -- are looking for right-handed hitters.
In return, Seattle would need young bats.@MLBNetwork @MLB
Sunday, July 30
Blue Jays acquire RHP Jordan Hicks from Cardinals
Hicks was one of the most sought-after relievers on the market. He'll be a welcome addition to Toronto's bullpen as the team eyes a postseason run, especially after closer Jordan Romano was placed on the injured list Saturday.
The right-hander is one of the hardest-throwing pitchers in the sport. He reached 105 mph in 2018, per Sportsnaut, and has thrown one of the fastest pitches of 2023, hitting 104.3 mph against the Nationals on June 19.
Heat? CHECK ✅ #NextLevel pic.twitter.com/8yyRMwzNjZ
— Toronto Blue Jays (@BlueJays) July 30, 2023
In exchange for Hicks, the Blue Jays are sending the Cardinals a pair of minor league right-handers, Sem Robberse and Adam Kloffenstein.
Tuesday, July 25
Blue Jays 'longer shot' for Angels star Shohei Ohtani
Without a doubt, the biggest name people are watching for his Shohei Ohtani, the duel-threat superstar who is a pending free agent this fall.
ESPN's Jeff Passan recently reported that a number of teams are interested in Ohtain (who wouldn't be), and that includes the Blue Jays. However, Passan said that Toronto is a "longer shot" than other clubs due to the weak farm system.
"Despite currently holding the final wild-card spot, Toronto hasn't done enough to convince ownership to open up the coffers, leaving the Blue Jays precisely where they've been all season: the muddled middle," Passan said. "That said, when asked where Ohtani could wind up if he's moved, three of the most popular answers from executives are Baltimore, Tampa Bay and Toronto (the Blue Jays are a longer shot due to a thinner farm system)."
Monday, July 24
Blue Jays could be a fit for White Sox SS Tim Anderson
Jon Morosi went on MLB Network to discuss the possibility of the White Sox trading Tim Anderson. One of the teams he mentioned as a potential fit was the Blue Jays.
Anderson is in the midst of a disappointing season but has picked it up since the All-Star break. With Bo Bichette locking down the shortstop position, the fit for Anderson would be at second base for Toronto, a position he played recently at the World Baseball Classic for Team USA. Considering Whit Merrifield's versatility, there would be a way to deploy all three of Bichette, Anderson and Merrifield in a Blue Jays lineup.
As the Trade Deadline approaches, @jonmorosi discusses a couple big names that could be on the move 👀 #MLBCentral pic.twitter.com/mRgelIfqF0
— MLB Network (@MLBNetwork) July 24, 2023
While he's not a necessity, Anderson would give the Blue Jays a right-handed bat, something that Atkins could be looking for at the deadline. Anderson has been a sensational bat for the majority of his career, and Toronto could set on a second-half turnover for the two-time All-Star.
Friday, July 21
Blue Jays trade for Cardinals LHP Genesis Cabrera
Toronto's first acquisition ahead of the trade deadline came about a week and a half before the final date, as the Blue Jays acquired left-handed reliever Genesis Cabrera from the Cardinals. In exchange, St. Louis received catching prospect Sammy Hernandez.
Cabrera had recently been designated for assignment by the Cardinals after losing his spot on the roster. In 32 innings, the 26-year-old sported a 5.06 ERA along with 18 walks.
The move gives John Schneider another lefty option out of the bullpen to alleviate some of the workload on Tim Mayza, currently the only southpaw hurler in Toronto's back end.
Sam Jarden contributed to this report.
