Threading the Deadline Needle + NL Arms Race
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What Blue Jays deadline moves have been announced so far and who was involved?
All right, well, we will have Blue Jays baseball tonight. The Jays opening a three-game series against the Houston Astros. But, of course, the focus today up until that first pitch, well, probably through the entire day as a matter of fact, is the MLB trade deadline, which is... is open for a further two hours. And the Blue Jays have made a couple of transactions. I'm sure you've been listening to the station all day, so you're probably up to speed on them. But for those of you who need to be caught up, Kevin Gossman was sent to the Cubs for a couple of prospects. Jose Soriano was acquired from the Angels for Arjun Namela, Eddie Micheletti, and Angel Rivero, and the Jays have acquired infielder Josh Smith and another prospect for Adam Macko.
As we mentioned, there's two hours left. in the deadline. The most interesting thing about this, Kevin, what we've seen so far is I think it, well, I think it would give us a pat on the back here because we've talked about how Ross Atkins' approach at the deadline probably wouldn't be just to sell, certainly wasn't going to be just to buy, but try to thread the needle. Try to come up with something that helps the team this year and helps the team next year. And we've identified, there are four areas this team absolutely needs to address before the start of next season. It needs at least one more impactful hitter. It needs a guy at the back end of the bullpen. It needs at least one more starting pitcher.
I think they need to figure out a way to improve their defense. That might factor into this. But from where I am, Jose Soriano, for a guy who wasn't going to be with the Major League team for another two or three years, and quite frankly, isn't the best infield prospect in the organization. I think Ross Atkins has answered one of the most pressing questions for next year. This year, oh, and by the way, as much as I love Kevin Gossman, I'd rather have Jose Soriano starting for me right now than Kevin Gossman. I think they're a better team right now. than they were 24 hours ago.
Absolutely. I mean, they have now their three starters, right? Dylan Cease, Trey Savage, and Soriano. Like, that's sort of the three-headed monster now that, you know, you can hang your hat on going into not only the rest of this season, but next season, whenever next season starts. I'm with you. They're a much better team today than they were yesterday. That was the ultimate goal. I've been saying this for a while, right? You know, Ross needed to go out and solidify one of the four moves that needed to be sort of added to to make this team much better. The quality of the pitching death was nonexistent in this organization. Just not very good. Ever since Cody Potts went down, I mean, who did they really have to fill in the blanks except a bunch of old guys that were at the back end of their career that, quite frankly, ain't very good.
And he's trying to fix this.
Yeah, and they've got some guys sort of just below the AAA level who are interesting guys like Johnny King and – pitchers like that. But, yeah, listen, they... And next year's free agent market, after you get past Tarek Skubal, there's a whole bunch of Robbie Rays out there. And... Quite frankly, given the fact that we don't know what the offseason is going to look like next year, I mean, I would rather you get the controllable starting pitcher now. And you've got this guy for two more years after this. I'd rather get the controllable pitcher now. And then you know what? Then I can go in the free agent market. Maybe next year I'm not going to blow the doors off to sign another Dylan Steece. Maybe I can take that seven-year contract and however hundred many –
however many hundred millions of dollars and add another hitter. So I like it. I think you've addressed a pressing issue. Now the caveat, Joel Sherman has reported. And again, you know, guys have sources, sources, leak stuff. So until the deal's done, it isn't, it isn't really done. But Joel Sherman reporting that the Jays are getting calls on Jose Soriano, which probably, probably wouldn't, uh, shouldn't be surprising.
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Chapters
5 chapters
1
What Blue Jays deadline moves have been announced so far and who was involved?
0:06–6:44
2
How does Ross Atkins’ ‘thread the needle’ strategy address the Jays’ roster needs?
6:44–8:14
3
Why is José Soriano considered a key addition and how does he fit Toronto’s rotation?
8:14–33:45
4
What were the major league-wide headline trades (Skubal, Rutschman, Varsho) and why do they matter?
33:45–41:58
5
What confirmation and details emerged about Dalton Varsho’s trade to the Astros?
41:58–49:11
Speakers
3 identifiedMore from Blair & Barker
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