3 sneaky Blue Jays’ 2026 MLB trade deadline targets to chase

The Toronto Blue Jays need pitching, but have to be wise at the trade deadline. They recently got Shane Bieber back on the mound, which helps. But here are three sneaky 2026 MLB trade deadline targets the Blue Jays can chase.

With a record of 39-41 heading into Thursday’s games, the Blue Jays need a spark. And they are currently 9.5 games behind the front-running Yankees in the AL East. However, a Wild Card berth is still well within reach.

And that’s why the team needs to jack up the pitching staff a little bit. But another bat would also help.

1B Willson Contreras, Red Sox

Boston is going nowhere fast, and Contreras could be available despite a reasonable contract situation that the Red Sox might want to keep in hand.

Still, the right deal from the Blue Jays could land them a power bat. And Contreras has the tools, according to ESPN.

“Contreras has top-end bat speed/raw power and barrels the ball up at among the highest rates in baseball, often to the pull side,” Kiley McDaniel and Jeff Passan wrote. “This approach would work in any stadium, but especially at Fenway, which is helping to put Contreras on pace for a career year in his age-34 season, but not explaining why.

“He obviously has a history of catching, but is now two years removed from doing that. So you’re looking at a hitter who can probably be an emergency option behind the plate. This is similar to the Eugenio Suarez pursuit at last year’s deadline, but Contreras isn’t a rental.”

One thing the Blue Jays have to consider is the acquisition price. They can’t afford to offer too much from the farm system. Yes, they were in the World Series last year. But they are far from being the favorites this year to get back. Then again, there’s still hope.

They should pursue Contreras earnestly, but proceed with caution.

SP Sandy Alcantara, Marlins

Alcantara is probably a tad overrated as a trade value. He’s just one year removed from a disastrous season with an ERA of 5.36. And while he has lowered his ERA to 4.01 so far this year, he’s still not the same pitcher when he dominated in 2022.

But some believe he can still be a valuable commodity for a team with playoff aspirations, according to Sports Illustrated.

It feels like Toronto is going to look to strike in the starting pitching market, and Alcantara is someone a lot of teams will be in on. He is the arm that will be available that could be a difference-maker for manager John Schneider in terms of getting into the playoffs or missing it.

Still, the Blue Jays could use another solid starter, according to Bleacher Report.

“After digging themselves a hole earlier in the year, the Blue Jays have recently begun making their move with 18 wins in their last 31 games,” Zachary D. Rymer wrote. “But their rotation still needs a top-of-the-rotation arm, and Alcantara is one of the best they can get.

“Miami would no doubt love to get either of Toronto’s prized shortstops, JoJo Parker and Arjun Nimmala. But they’re better off aiming for someone like Johnny King, who’s now the Blue Jays’ No. 4 prospect since going to them in the third round of the 2024 draft.”

SP Casey Mize, Tigers

There’s no doubt the Blue Jays have a solid group at the top of their rotation. But adding Mize might be a big benefit from a depth perspective. He would slot in behind Kevin Gausman, Dylan Cease, Shane Bieber, and young Trey Yesavage. Adding Mize would give the Blue Jays one of the top rotations in baseball from one through five.

Injuries are a question, but Mize has been getting things done this season despite a less-than-overwhelming fastball.

“His fastball velocity is the lowest of his big league career, but he has four above-average pitches (fastball, cutter, sweeper, splitter) that are all performing (via runs value) as at least average pitches,” Kiley McDaniel and Jeff Passan wrote. “The improvement this year was limiting damage on his fastball/splitter (by staying on the fringes of the zone) and juicing whiffs on the cutter (by tunneling with the fastball).”

Mize wouldn’t have a ton of pressure on him. And he might thrive down the stretch, giving the Blue Jays a chance to string together wins throughout a full pass of the rotation.

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