The Toronto Blue Jays (35-32) have surged back into the playoff picture after winning 12 of their last 14 games to cut their deficit in the AL East to two games. If they want to break their 21-year postseason drought they'll need to consider trades for starting pitchers.
We discussed this topic earlier in the week, but those trade rumors involved Cole Hamels and Johnny Cueto. Those rumors are still alive, but since then another starter made his way into the discussion: Scott Kazmir of the Oakland Athletics. This could be the most advantageous deal for Toronto.
First off, the Jays have already contacted Oakland about reliever Tyler Clippard because their bullpen needs some help too. The club recently went 34 straight games without a save and their relievers have blown 11 saves in 2015, which is good for fourth-worst in the MLB. Perhaps a package deal for the two pitchers could be in the works, as suggested by ESPN Insider Jim Bowden.
"Kazmir has been one of the better left-handed starters in the AL over the past two seasons, posting a 15-9 record, 3.55 ERA, 1.16 WHIP and 3.35 FIP in a 2014 All-Star campaign. This year he has a sterling 2.84 ERA, 1.20 WHIP and 3.61 FIP. He has the stuff to succeed in the postseason, and any contending team would love to have him. Clippard, meanwhile, was one of the NL's best eighth-inning relievers last year; he also was an All-Star. He has ably filled the closer role for the A's this season. Both of these guys are free agents at season's end, and neither is expected to re-sign with the team, meaning it's only a matter of time before they're dealt."
Additionally, the Jays could obtain one or both of these pitchers sooner rather than later. Oakland (29-39) still has a lot of ground to make up after their slow start to the season and the next couple of weeks will be telling in terms of their trade plans before the deadline.
"Other teams believe the A's will move Scott Kazmir and closer Tyler Clippard before [Ben] Zobrist, whose disabled list stint and slow start have depressed his value, at least temporarily," writes ESPN's Jayson Stark.
Kazmir will undoubtedly be cheaper than Hamels, Cueto and some of the other top pitchers who might be on the block before July 31, and Toronto has already struck a deal with Oakland (for third baseman Josh Donaldson) in the offseason, so the two sides could perhaps get through the process quicker than others.
The Blue Jays' starting rotation ERA (4.57) ranks 26th in the MLB and they need help as soon as they can get it. There are plenty of scenarios for general manager Alex Anthopoulos to explore, but a deal for Kazmir (or a package involving Clippard) would probably be the best value they can get without inheriting large contracts or surrendering top young talent.
Toronto has the top offense in the MLB, but it's imperative they establish consistency atop their rotation if they want a realistic shot of making the postseason.
