TORONTO – Two major deals later, there’s not all that much urgency for the Toronto Blue Jays at the non-waiver trade deadline. With a busy week that’s seen the Blue Jays add Troy Tulowitzki, LaTroy Hawkins and David Price, they’ve bolstered their offence and bullpen while dramatically improving their starting rotation.
But if you think Alex Anthopoulos is going to catch up on sleep the day of the non-waiver trade deadline, you’re dead wrong. The Blue Jays’ GM will be working the phones leading up to Friday at 4 p.m. ET.
“Right now we’re working on some small things,” Anthopoulos said Thursday.
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What exactly? Anthopoulos isn’t one to tip his hand, but he said Thursday that he’s already had numerous discussions on a lot of starting pitchers. It’s possible he could circle back and revive the discussions that had to be set aside while completing the Price deal.
“Two things get deals done,” Anthopoulos said. “Deadlines and momentum.”
The Blue Jays may have lost a little momentum while completing the Price deal, but Friday’s deadline could work in their favour.
Toronto’s short on starting pitching depth after sending triple-A starters Daniel Norris and Matt Boyd to the Detroit Tigers for Price, and their big-league rotation still includes Drew Hutchison, whose 5.42 ERA ranks fifth-last among qualified starters. Adding another big-league starter doesn’t appear to be out of the question, even if it’s by no means a necessity thanks to the addition of Price. Otherwise, minor league depth could become a consideration in the weeks ahead.
It’s also conceivable that the Blue Jays could pursue left field help, though there’s not a glaring need at the position. Danny Valencia, Ezequiel Carrera and Chris Colabello have each come through with big hits for the Blue Jays, though they’ve faltered on defence at times. Top prospect Dalton Pompey has been hitting extremely well at triple-A of late, and could be a big-league consideration again this season.
The Blue Jays, 52-51 after beating the Kansas City Royals Thursday, will have to be considerably better than a .500 team to reach the post-season. But having acquired Tulowitzki and Price, manager John Gibbons believes the pieces are in place for an extended run of success, even if it’s not an 11-game win streak like the one Toronto put together earlier in the season.
“Whether it’s a long streak I don’t know, but it’s got to be more consistent baseball, that’s for sure,” Gibbons said.
The addition of Tulowitzki bolstered the Blue Jays’ offence, though the move didn’t directly address the team’s biggest weakness: a vulnerable starting rotation. By adding Price, the Blue Jays improved their pitching dramatically, especially considering that he’ll be replacing the pedestrian production of Felix Doubront.
“It’s everything you can ask for and a little bit more,” Tulowitzki said.
His new manager certainly seems to agree.
“Adding these two gives me a shot in the arm, I know that,” Gibbons said.
And until the clock strikes 4 p.m. ET, Anthopoulos will be working the phones just in case there’s one last move to be made.