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Published Jul 24, 2023 • 2 minute read
Could their be a reunion between Randal Grichuk and the Blue Jays before the trade deadline?
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With the Aug. 1 trade deadline approaching, the Blue Jays should be buyers, looking to add to their roster.
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Let’s take a look at three players on the trade block that should be of interest to Blue Jays GM Ross Atkins.
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THE BAT
Randal Grichuk, OF, Colorado Rockies
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At first glance, a reunion with the former Blue Jays outfielder would seem unlikely. This is the same player the team traded two years ago because they were unable to get him more playing time, but times have changed. Grichuk is no longer a full-time player with the Rockies and the Blue Jays need a right-handed bat that can play a decent outfield. If Toronto were to re-acquire the veteran, he would strictly be brought in to face left-handed pitching. On the season, Grichuk is slashing .338/.397/.592 vs. LHP. He’s also striking out just 10.3% of the time against lefties, something that was not the case when he was a Jay. Sure, playing at Coors Field has probably inflated some of Grichuk’s numbers, but in 41 plate appearances away from Denver this year, he owns an impressive .867 OPS.
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Considering he is an impending free agent, the acquisition cost shouldn’t be too high either.
THE STARTER
Michael Lorenzen, RHP, Detroit Tigers
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Lorenzen made the American League all-star team this season, but that was more about the Tigers lacking star talent than anything. However, Lorenzen has been solid this year with a 3.49 ERA in 17 starts. With the uncertainty surrounding Alek Manoah, Hyun-Jin Ryu and Yusei Kikuchi, the Jays would be wise to add another starter that could give them average to slightly above-average ability in the rotation. If all things go well and Manoah and Ryu can be contributors, Lorenzen could easily slot into the bullpen, where he has pitched the majority of his MLB career. Lorenzen’s stuff could also play up in a bullpen role as he owns a fastball that can touch the high-90s.
THE RELIEVER
Kyle Finnegan. RHP. Washington Nationals
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While the Blue Jays’ bullpen has been one of the better ones in baseball this year, you can never have too many high-leverage arms at the back of the pen. Finnegan has electric stuff with a fastball that consistently reaches the high-90s and a splitter that generates swings and misses. Looking back at recent history, the Jays have tended to target pitchers that can throw a splitter (Kevin Gausman, Yusei Kikuchi and Erik Swanson just to name a few). Third start is a charm for Manoah as Blue Jays avoid sweep in Seattle Blue Jays sign third-round pick Juaron Watts-Brown out of Oklahoma State University If the Blue Jays feel as if there isn’t a lefty reliever that is of interest, Finnegan could also act as a pseudo-lefty with his ability to get lefty bats out. Left-handed bats have hit just .186 vs. Finnegan in his career. The 31-year-old is having another solid season with the Nats, putting up a 3.24, striking out 23.4% of batters he’s faced. As Washington’s closer, Finnegan has saved 13 games this season, which could give the Jays another option if closer Jordan Romano were to go down to an injury. -Rob Wong (@RobWong34)
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