Toronto preps for stretch run
Blue Jays get: 3B José Ramírez, RHP Emmanuel Clase, RHP Bryan Shaw
Cleveland gets: OF Lourdes Gurriel Jr., SS/OF Austin Martin (
MLB's No. 16 prospect)
RHP Eric Pardinho (
Blue Jays’ No. 13 prospect)
Why it should happen: The Blue Jays are part of an AL East that currently features four contending teams, all above .500 and with positive run differentials. The Blue Jays’ offense is one of the two most dynamic of the group, along with the Red Sox, but the team has needed pitching help -- both starting pitching and relief. An earlier version of this deal included Shane Bieber, but with his recent transfer to the 60-day IL, a new plan was hatched: Clase, a hard-throwing reliever to fortify the bullpen, and Ramírez, to add to the team’s considerable offensive prowess.
To be clear, the Blue Jays don’t
need another bat. But with no ace starters clearly available, adding Ramírez helps make this a borderline unstoppable lineup. Instead of run prevention, what if they just scored a ton of runs, beefed up that bullpen and went for it? Ramírez has team options for 2022 and '23, so this isn’t a rental, and Clase isn’t even arbitration eligible until 2024. That’s important, given that the Blue Jays’ offense is super young, and presumably here to stay.
Why it won’t: While Gurriel seems primed for a breakout in many ways, and the prospects have high ceilings, it seems unlikely that Cleveland would unload Ramírez, given the two aforementioned club options. He and Clase both could still be on the team when it's competitive again, especially if Cleveland's starters can avoid the injuries that have plagued them in 2021.
