5 Players Toronto Blue Jays Should Target Before 2015 MLB Trade Deadline

5 Players Toronto Blue Jays Should Target Before 2015 MLB Trade Deadline

By Bryan Zarpentine

July 3, 2015

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5 Players Toronto Blue Jays Should Target Before 2015 MLB Trade Deadline

Toronto Blue Jays v Tampa Bay Rays — After playing great baseball throughout the month of June, the Toronto Blue Jays are in the thick of the playoff race in the American League East. However, if Toronto is going to rise to the top of such a hotly contested division, they'll need to add help at the trade deadline, most notably to the pitching staff. Here are five players the Blue Jays should target in potential trades before the MLB trade deadline.

After playing great baseball throughout the month of June, the Toronto Blue Jays are in the thick of the playoff race in the American League East. However, if Toronto is going to rise to the top of such a hotly contested division, they'll need to add help at the trade deadline, most notably to the pitching staff. Here are five players the Blue Jays should target in potential trades before the MLB trade deadline.

5. Manny Parra

Cincinnati Reds, Manny Parra, Ryan Rowalnd-Smith

5. Manny Parra

Cincinnati Reds, Manny Parra, Ryan Rowalnd-Smith — Like most teams, the Blue Jays could add some bullpen help, especially from the left side, where their current relievers have been underwhelming this year. Parra is in the midst of a great season and would be a nice addition for the Toronto bullpen. The Reds are likely to end up being sellers, and with Parra being a free-agent to be, he's certainly someone they could trade at a reasonable price.

Like most teams, the Blue Jays could add some bullpen help, especially from the left side, where their current relievers have been underwhelming this year. Parra is in the midst of a great season and would be a nice addition for the Toronto bullpen. The Reds are likely to end up being sellers, and with Parra being a free-agent to be, he's certainly someone they could trade at a reasonable price.

4. Dan Haren

Dan Haren Marlins

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4. Dan Haren

Dan Haren Marlins — Haren is having a great season on a bad team and would be a nice veteran addition to the Toronto rotation. He's not been talked about as much as some of the other pitchers who could be on the trade market in July, but the Marlins are unlikely to work their way back into contention, so they'd be foolish not to consider trading him. Toronto and Miami have been trade partners in the past, so perhaps they can work out a deal involving Haren.

Haren is having a great season on a bad team and would be a nice veteran addition to the Toronto rotation. He's not been talked about as much as some of the other pitchers who could be on the trade market in July, but the Marlins are unlikely to work their way back into contention, so they'd be foolish not to consider trading him. Toronto and Miami have been trade partners in the past, so perhaps they can work out a deal involving Haren.

3. Johnny Cueto

Johnny Cueto

3. Johnny Cueto

Johnny Cueto — The Blue Jays are one of several teams that have expressed interest in Cueto, so trading for him will be easier said than done. Cueto is headed towards free agency after the season, so the Reds should be motivated to trade him. But so many teams being interested will drive the price high. That being said, if the Blue Jays can make an appealing offer to Cincinnati, Cueto would be an absolute game changer for the rotation.

The Blue Jays are one of several teams that have expressed interest in Cueto, so trading for him will be easier said than done. Cueto is headed towards free agency after the season, so the Reds should be motivated to trade him. But so many teams being interested will drive the price high. That being said, if the Blue Jays can make an appealing offer to Cincinnati, Cueto would be an absolute game changer for the rotation.

2. Cole Hamels

Cole Hamels, Philadelphia Phillies,

2. Cole Hamels

Cole Hamels, Philadelphia Phillies, — There will be a lot of teams throwing their hat into the ring to acquire Hamels, and the Blue Jays should definitely be one of them. Hamels may be more expensive than some of the other pitchers on the market, as he's still under contract after this year and comes with a hefty contract. That being said, Hamels would not only help Toronto this year, but he could continue to anchor their rotation for years to come.

There will be a lot of teams throwing their hat into the ring to acquire Hamels, and the Blue Jays should definitely be one of them. Hamels may be more expensive than some of the other pitchers on the market, as he's still under contract after this year and comes with a hefty contract. That being said, Hamels would not only help Toronto this year, but he could continue to anchor their rotation for years to come.

1. Jeff Samardzija

Chicago White Sox

1. Jeff Samardzija

Chicago White Sox — Samardzija isn't having a great season, but he would definitely be an upgrade to Toronto's starting rotation. With Mark Buehrle and R.A. Dickey currently at the top of the Toronto rotation, they could use a hard-throwing righty like Samardzija. He also may be one of the most affordable starters on the market compared to the likes of Hamels and Cueto, making Samardzija an ideal trade target for the Blue Jays.

Samardzija isn't having a great season, but he would definitely be an upgrade to Toronto's starting rotation. With Mark Buehrle and R.A. Dickey currently at the top of the Toronto rotation, they could use a hard-throwing righty like Samardzija. He also may be one of the most affordable starters on the market compared to the likes of Hamels and Cueto, making Samardzija an ideal trade target for the Blue Jays.

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Toronto Blue Jays

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