The Toronto Blue Jays are not in the best shape this season, as they’re 41-46 on the year, and well behind in the AL East race.
Fortunately, they’re just 3.0 games back in the AL Wild Card, and could easily find themselves in a postseason spot by the August 3 trade deadline later this summer.
If they can make up some ground, buying at the trade deadline is likely. ESPN’s David Schoenfield believes the Blue Jays should try to trade for Kansas City Royals starter Michael Wacha if they’re buying, and for good reason, too.
Why Blue Jays should trade for Michael Wacha at deadline
“Toronto Blue Jays: trade for Wacha,” Schoenfield writes. “… In a potential match with the Royals, Wacha is the player Toronto should go after.”
With the struggles of Shane Bieber since his return, with a 6.00 ERA and six strikeouts in two starts so far, along with the injury to Max Scherzer, the Blue Jays make a lot of sense as a landing spot for a starting pitcher.
Toronto needs another arm by the deadline, as even though Kevin Gausman, Dylan Cease, and Trey Yesavage are a good trio, they really need a better fourth or fifth option if they want to win the World Series.
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That’s where Wacha comes in, and he would be a great trade pickup. The veteran right-handed starter is 35 years old and under club control through the 2028 season with a three-year, $51 million contract through 2027, along with a 2027 team option.
This season, Wacha has been the Royals’ best starter, posting a 3.31 ERA with a 5-5 record and 2.8 bWAR in 17 starts for Kansas City.
The 14-year MLB veteran won’t be cheap to add to their books or to acquire from the Royals. But if the Blue Jays believe they can win the World Series, trading for Wacha would be one of the best moves they could make this summer.
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