If GM Ross Atkins gets his wish, Tuesday’s trade for extra outfielder Melvin Upton will be just an appetizer for the main course later this week.
“We’re not done in any way,” said Atkins. “If there’s a way to make our team better, then we’re going to do it.”
Atkins and his staff are going to be focused on pitching, as they have been for a couple of weeks now. That market is currently on hold until the dominos start to fall. It’s a seller’s market, where the talent level is rather more thin than in past seasons, especially among potential starting pitchers. Supply is going to vastly outstrip the raging demand.
When this deadline comes and goes next Monday, there are going to be teams who have greatly overpaid for average talent. The Blue Jays don’t want to be among that group.
“You look at the situation we’re in,” said Atkins. “You might be able to build a case that there are more than one or two teams that are in a better situation than we are from a starting pitching standpoint. Maybe there’s three. But our starting pitching has been phenomenal. The big question has surrounded Aaron Sanchez and how long he can stay in our rotation. As it stands right now, we’re a difficult rotation to upgrade, thanks to the contributions of more people than Aaron Sanchez.”
That said, the Jays are heavily engaged in this pitching market, trying to make a deal for somebody who can deliver depth.
“We have contacted all 29 teams on several occasions and there are five to 10 teams we’re talking with on a regular basis and now it’s mostly focused on pitching.
“The bar has been set very high based upon what has happened with relievers. Things are changing a little bit. There’s the fact that a domino has not yet fallen and now there are players that are coming into play as the landscape changes for other teams. It’s difficult to say where the market is and it’s complicated by health. A lot of the available pieces are not perfect. It’s not like the market of a year ago.”
The No. 1 starter among those with expiring contracts that teams are looking to move is Oakland’s Rich Hill, who is currently unable to throw because of a blister on his pitching hand. The Athletics want a boatload of talent for him, as do any teams that have even marginal starting talent available.
There are some worthwhile names being bandied about. Drew Smyly, Jake Odorizzi and Matt Moore in Tampa; Matt Shoemaker in Anaheim; Jeremy Hellickson in Philadelphia; and many more, but few of strong pedigree.
The Jays will also be monitoring a relief market that promises to be robust as the week progresses.
“If there’s a way to improve our pitching, we feel as flexible as we were yesterday,” said Atkins.