The Blue Jays have been floated as a trade fit for Pirates right-hander Carmen Mlodzinski. The unhappy arm could use a fresh start, and Toronto needs another starter.

Sportsnet made the connection. Mlodzinski lost his rotation spot in May when Jared Jones returned from injury, then landed on the restricted list before accepting a bulk relief role.

He finished with a 3.95 ERA over 123 innings. His public frustration may push Pittsburgh toward a move.

The path back to the rotation is blocked. Paul Skenes, Braxton Ashcraft, Bubba Chandler, Mitch Keller and Jones are all ahead of him.

Don Kelly's Pirates are coming off their first winning season in nearly a decade. They need big-league talent and are more likely to trade for it than spend.

What would Pittsburgh want? Infield pop and a lefty reliever.

Carmen Mlodzinski's splitter fits the Blue Jays' pitching blueprint

Sportsnet suggested Addison Barger or former Pirates prospect Charles McAdoo could help replace the power Pittsburgh is losing with Brandon Lowe's departure.

Ricky Tiedemann could also interest a Pirates bullpen that lacks premium left-handed stuff beyond closer Mason Montgomery.

The appeal for Toronto is the splitter. Mlodzinski's 86-m.p.h. version has exceptional downward action, the kind of platoon-neutral pitch the Jays covet.

He's 27 with a seven-pitch mix. In 2025, he posted 76th percentile or better marks in walk, barrel and groundball rate.

Toronto should make this deal, but Barger stays off the table. McAdoo or Tiedemann for a controllable, innings-eating arm makes sense, while trading Barger after one lost season would be selling at the bottom.

Mlodzinski is a fixer-upper in a great neighbourhood. The bones are good, and Pete Walker's staff has the tools to renovate.

His bulk relief experience adds value, too. He could start, piggyback or cover long innings for a staff that used 16 starters in 2026.

Pittsburgh has the leverage of a crowded rotation. If Ross Atkins can land Mlodzinski without touching his top bats, it's the kind of quiet trade that pays off by June.