MLB rumors: Phillies a trade match as Blue Jays ponder getting ‘weird’ at deadline

The Philadelphia Phillies have been struggling as of late, losing seven of their last eight games. Regardless, they are still in the race for a playoff spot and will be making moves at the MLB Trade Deadline. Meanwhile, the Toronto Blue Jays are falling out of the playoff race. The Blue Jays could be selling at the trade deadline next week.

With the needs of the Phillies and the Blue Jays having the needed parts, they could be a perfect match, per Mitch Bannon of The Athletic.

“The Phillies were among at least three opposing teams with scouts in attendance for Toronto’s series at Fenway Park this past weekend. With needs in center field, at the back of the rotation and in the bullpen, the Phillies appear to be a fantastic potential trade partner for the Jays at the upcoming deadline,” Bannon wrote. “Varsho’s father, Gary, and namesake, Darren Daulton, both played for the Phillies. Jeff Hoffman had the two best years of his career with Philadelphia. Kevin Gausman unlocked his fastball/splitter combo with the Cincinnati Reds in 2019, working with current Phillies pitching coach Caleb Cotham. Phillies manager Don Mattingly is certainly familiar with the Jays’ clubhouse dynamic and knows what Myles Straw can bring as a right-handed outfielder off the bench.”

The Blue Jays are not totally out of the playoff race. The Blue Jays are 50-59 on the year, which places them in last place in the AL East and 14 games behind the Tampa Bay Rays in the division. Regardless, they are just 5.5 games behind the Cleveland Guardians for the final Wild Card spot. Still, the Jays could get “weird” at the deadline, according to Ken Rosenthal of The Athletic.

“The Toronto Blue Jays, five and a half games out in the AL wild-card race but trailing five clubs, figure to be sellers. With so much money coming off their books, though, they also are pondering buy scenarios as they seek to retool, according to people briefed on their intentions,” Rosenthal wrote. “The specifics of the Jays’ pursuits are not known, but they will shed a combined $72.25 million when the contracts of designated hitter George Springer, center fielder Daulton Varsho and right-handers Kevin Gausman and Shane Bieber expire. Reliever Jeff Hoffman, another player Toronto might trade, is under contract for next season at $11 million. So, if the Jays want to take on money for 2027 and beyond, they should have the flexibility to do so.”

This could put the Jays in a wonderful situation. The Jays could bring in expiring contracts or bad contracts in order to prepare for the future.

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