Blue Jays all-in trade prediction sends top-100 prospects for $32M 2-time Cy Young winner

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Blue Jays all-in trade prediction sends top-100 prospects for $32M 2-time Cy Young winner originally appeared on The Sporting News. Add The Sporting News as a Preferred Source by clicking here.

The Toronto Blue Jays are trying to get back on track after a disappointing start to the season. Just a few months ago, they were competing in the World Series; now they find themselves outside of a playoff spot.

The starting rotation has been dealing with injuries for much of the year, though several key arms are nearing returns.

“The Blue Jays are getting dangerously close to a run of “good news” on the pitching front. In 2026, that still feels so unfamiliar. It was Max Scherzer’s turn in the Buffalo Bisons’ rotation Friday night, the middle man in a string of rehab starts that featured Dylan Cease on Thursday and ends with another Cy Young winner in Shane Bieber on Saturday,” MLB.com’s Keegan Matheson wrote.

Even with those reinforcements on the way, there are still rumors that Toronto could pursue Tarik Skubal.

“Now that it’s becoming inevitable that the free-falling Detroit Tigers may have no choice but to trade two-time Cy Young winner Tarik Skubal at the deadline, rival executives believe the bidding will come down to four finalists that not only can afford the remainder of his $32 million contract, but will also be willing to give up prized prospects: The Los Angeles Dodgers, New York Yankees, Toronto Blue Jays and San Diego Padres,” USA Today’s Bob Nightengale wrote.

It will be interesting to see whether the Blue Jays ultimately make a move for Skubal. A mock trade by ESPN’s Tristan Cockcroft sends Jojo Parker and Johnny King to the Detroit Tigers in exchange for Skubal.

“Trading a pair of top-100 prospects for a player on an expiring contract might seem foolish, but bear in mind that the Blue Jays are defending American League champions who are surely planning to maximize their championship window. Their rotation has been obliterated by injuries, and a Skubal/Kevin Gausman/Dylan Cease/Trey Yesavage playoff quartet would be quite formidable. For the Tigers, Parker gives them another high-quality infield bat -- they can figure out later which of he or Kevin McGonigle stays at shortstop -- and King, a big-time power arm,” Cockcroft wrote.

Adding Skubal to a rotation featuring arms like Bieber, Scherzer, and Cease would give Toronto one of the most dominant staffs in baseball. If the Blue Jays reach the postseason, it would also give them the flexibility to deploy a true ace out of the bullpen.

Skubal is in the final year of his $32 million deal and will hit free agency unless he is extended. The Blue Jays believe they are capable of winning a World Series and would have no hesitation in offering him a long-term extension. This type of move would firmly establish Toronto as a serious championship contender.

More MLB news:

• Mets predicted to part ways with $15M 2-time All-Star, 74 strikeout arm at trade deadline​

• Phillies' $22M emergency closer gives brutally honest response to Rob Thomson's firing​

• Braves predicted to part ways with underperforming $20M Gold Glove winner at the trade deadline​

• Dodgers trade prediction lands Mets' $15M ace, 2-time All-Star as Tigers' Tarik Skubal backup plan​

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