Intra-Division Mock Trade Sends Two Stars To Blue Jays Ahead Of Deadline

The Toronto Blue Jays have firmly placed themselves in the postseason race this season. In fact, they’re likely going to be in a very competitive race for the American League East crown down the stretch.

If the Blue Jays want to bring home the division title, they’re going to need to be aggressive at the trade deadline. Toronto has plenty of holes in the roster to add talent.

The Athletic’s Jim Bowden recently suggested the Blue Jays could swing a trade with the Baltimore Orioles to acquire pitcher Gregory Soto and outfielder Ramón Laureano in exchange for pitchers Angel Bastardo and RHP Juaron Watts-Brown.

“The Jays can fill two needs with this one trade, leaving the heavy deadline lifting for a starting pitching acquisition. Soto continues to rack up strikeouts and limit left-handed hitters, holding them to a .160 average this season,” Bowden wrote. “With Mason Fluharty’s recent demotion, the Jays could use another leverage southpaw, and Soto has filled that role for three teams across the last five years.

“Laureano is a bright spot in Baltimore’s disappointing offence, mashing 10 homers while playing all three outfield positions. He has fairly neutral platoon splits, too, making Laureano the perfect right-handed depth option who can pinch hit and play in any situation.”

The Blue Jays will likely be in the market for more than one trade in the coming weeks. With that in mind, a deal to add a talented lefty to the bullpen would be the perfect first trade of the season.

Soto would be one of the better arms in Toronto’s bullpen while Laureano could slot in as a platoon outfielder. At worst, the Blue Jays could use the outfielder as a depth option down the stretch.

Either way, both players would be welcome additions to the Blue Jays’ postseason push.

More MLB: MLB Insider Adds Fuel To Fire Of Tigers Pitching Trade Rumors