A closer look at the Blue Jays' bullpen as the MLB trade deadline approaches

As the MLB trade deadline approaches, all eyes are on the Toronto Blue Jays’ bullpen. With the team currently sitting in a playoff spot, there is no doubt that they will be looking to bolster their relief pitching in order to solidify their chances of making a deep postseason run.

The Blue Jays’ bullpen has been a bit of a mixed bag this season. While they have shown flashes of brilliance at times, there have also been some struggles, particularly in the late innings. Closer Jordan Romano has been solid for the most part, but there have been some concerns about his consistency. Setup man Tim Mayza has been a reliable option, but beyond those two, the bullpen depth is a bit thin.

One potential area of concern for the Blue Jays is their lack of a dominant left-handed reliever. While Mayza has been effective against left-handed hitters, having another lefty in the bullpen could provide some much-needed balance and versatility. This is something that the team may look to address before the trade deadline.

Another issue that the Blue Jays may need to address is their lack of experience in the bullpen. While Romano and Mayza have both shown promise, neither has much playoff experience. Adding a veteran presence to the bullpen could help stabilize things in high-pressure situations down the stretch.

One potential trade target for the Blue Jays could be Pittsburgh Pirates closer Richard Rodriguez. The right-hander has been lights out this season, posting a 2.38 ERA with 14 saves. Adding Rodriguez to the back end of the bullpen would give the Blue Jays another reliable option in high-leverage situations.

Overall, the Blue Jays’ bullpen is a key area that the team will need to address as the trade deadline approaches. With some strategic moves, they could shore up their relief pitching and give themselves a better chance at making a deep playoff run. It will be interesting to see what moves the team makes in the coming weeks as they look to strengthen their roster for the stretch run.