New trade development for the Toronto Blue Jay as they close on all-star infielder
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Victor William
Jan 25, 2026 (5:49 PM)
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Photo credit: Eakin Howard-Imagn Images
Ross Atkins and the Toronto Blue Jays front office are facing a bullpen crisis after failing to land a superstar bat this winter.
The pursuit of Kyle Tucker ended in a total nightmare as the superstar chose the Dodgers. Toronto is now left with a massive hole in the middle of their order.
Losing Bo Bichette to the Mets only compounded the frustration for a fanbase expecting a dynasty. The reigning AL champs look vulnerable at the worst possible time.
Ownership has already spent big on Tyler Rogers to solidify the late innings. His 36 million dollar contract shows that the money is there for the right arms.
However, scouts and analysts insist the relief corps is still one high-leverage arm away from being elite. One injury could tank the entire relief strategy.
The latest reports suggest the front office is finally shifting focus toward the trade market. You can see the full breakdown of their potential pivot here:
Brendan Donovan from the Cardinals is emerging as a legitimate Plan B for the infield. He would bring much-needed stability to a roster that feels top-heavy.
Donovan posted a solid .287/.353/.422 slash line in 2025 while providing elite defensive versatility. He fits the "Blue Jay way" perfectly.
But the real "concerning issue" remains the depth behind Tyler Rogers. Toronto cannot rely on league-minimum arms to protect one-run leads in October.
Brendan Donovan fits the Toronto Blue Jays roster like a glove
The bleacher creatures at Rogers Centre are starting to voice their displeasure with the quiet offseason. They want to see the front office finish the job they started.
Veteran lefties like Andrew Chafin or Justin Wilson are still sitting on the open market. These are the "glue" moves that championship teams make in late January.
The Luxury Tax situation is tight, but the window to win a World Series is even tighter. Saving money now is a slap in the face to Vladimir Guerrero Jr.
Toronto has the prospect capital to get a deal done for a premium setup man. Holding onto every B-level prospect is a recipe for a second-place finish.
Manager John Schneider needs options that can miss bats when the bases are loaded. Pitching to contact in the AL East is a dangerous game for any reliever.
The American League is getting stronger while Toronto is largely standing pat. Standing still is the same as falling behind in this high-stakes division.
The front office needs to stop overthinking the metrics and start prioritizing the "eye test" for their pen. They need a dog on the mound.
If the Blue Jays enter spring training without one more move, the pressure will be immense. The season starts now, not on Opening Day.
Also read on Toronto Baseball Insider :
5-player blockbuster trade has the Blue Jays landing a few big pieces from the Cardinals
5-player blockbuster trade has the Blue Jays landing a few big pieces from the Cardinals
| POLL | ||
JANVIER 25|409 ANSWERS New trade development for the Toronto Blue Jay as they close on all-star infielder Should the Blue Jays pay the Luxury Tax to sign another elite reliever? | ||
| Yes | 354 | 86.6 % |
| No | 55 | 13.4 % |
| List of polls | ||