MIAMI, FLORIDA – JULY 21: Pablo Lopez #49 of the Miami Marlins delivers a pitch during the second inning against the Texas Rangers at loanDepot park on July 21, 2022 in Miami, Florida. (Photo by Michael Reaves/Getty Images)
The Toronto Blue Jays need to move quickly to keep up with the Mariners’ trade for ace Luis Castillo, a pitcher the Jays were in on.
On Friday night, the Seattle Mariners made a shocking trade to acquire the No. 1 starting pitcher on the trade market, Luis Castillo from the Reds. It was a stunning trade since the Mariners hadn’t been connected much to him.
In the end, it cost the No. 2 AL Wild Card team a lot in order to try to make the playoffs for the first time in 21 years. The Mariners needed a starting pitcher in order to make it to the playoffs. So do the Toronto Blue Jays who are only 1.5 games ahead of the surging Mariners. These Blue Jays rumors must come true.
The Blue Jays now realize they will have a team to contend with for the Wild Card and there’s another strong team potentially in the playoff mix. Toronto still has some significant weaknesses of their own that must be addressed if they hope to sniff playoff success such as more starting pitchers, more bullpen arms, a left-handed hitting position player, and more depth. Otherwise, the Blue Jays will waste another prime year of their talented core.
To make matters worse, the Blue Jays might’ve just lost their best starting pitcher to an elbow injury. Alek Manoah was hit by a line drive comebacker during Friday’s game. He was forced to leave the game. This further thins an already thin starting pitching rotation.
Blue Jays: 3 trade targets after missing out on Luis Castillo
3. Blue Jays rumors: A fish named Pablo Lopez
The Blue Jays need a starter not just for this season but for the future. They don’t have any prospects coming up with MLB starter potential in the near term. With Nate Pearson, Hyun-Jin Ryu, and others’ futures uncertain due to injury, the Blue Jays need arms they can rely upon. Currently, that only co-aces Kevin Gausman and Alek Manoah along with hot/cold Jose Berrios.
Acquiring a great starter like Pablo Lopez of the Miami Marlins solves their current and future issues. Pablo is under control through 2025 which raises his price tag but also increases his value to the Blue Jays. He’s having a terrific season too.
Pablo Lopez has thrown 116 innings of 3.03 ERA ball with 118 strikeouts and only 35 walks. He has a 135 ERA+ and 3.63 FIP. Additionally, he’s only given up 86 hits and 39 earned runs. Lopez is truly an ace pitcher. He’s been worth 2.8 wins above replacement and has a cheap contract. He’s still on a rookie salary.
Imagine sending out Gausman, Manoah, and Lopez in a short playoff series. Have Berrios be the No.4 starter or an ace reliever. The 26-year-old pitcher would help the Blue Jays not only make the playoffs but win multiple series. There’s no catching the Yankees, but they have to fend off contenders for the Wild Card spot. They don’t want to have to face the Yankees or Astros in the Wild Card round.