Toronto Blue Jays land Robbie Ray for late-season push
The Toronto Blue Jays have added starting pitcher Robbie Ray to their rotation, just ahead of Monday’s trade deadline.
With just two hours left before the 2020 MLB trade deadline, the Toronto Blue Jays have once again entered into the craziness, completing a trade for Arizona Diamondbacks starting pitcher Robbie Ray.
Rob Longley of the Toronto Sun was the first to break the news of the deal. According to Sportsnet’s Shi Davidi, the Toronto Blue Jays are sending 26-year-old left-handed pitcher Travis Bergen to Arizona in return.
BREAKING: Per source the #Bluejays have acquired pitcher Robbie Ray from the Arizona Diamondbacks.
— Rob Longley (@longleysunsport) August 31, 2020
Despite a less than steller 2020 campaign for Ray, his name has been a rumored target for many competing teams across baseball, including noted contenders like the New York Yankees and the surprising Chicago White Sox.
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Through his first seven starts, Ray is 1-4 with a 7.84 ERA and 2.00 WHIP in 31 innings pitched. Despite allowing nine home runs and walking 31 total hitters this season, the Diamondbacks didn’t seem concerned with Ray’s ability to bounce back and finish the 2020 season on a high note.
His 43 strikeouts equate to a career-high 12.48 K/9 IP, a number that has made him an attractive trade piece this season.
To Ray’s credit, he has been pitching much better recently. Over his last three starts, Ray has allowed seven earned runs across 14 innings, striking out 20 and allowing just two home runs. Unfortunately, an absurd amount of walks have continued to follow Ray, allowing 17 over that time span.
If Ray can revert back to his 2019 form, the 28-year-old veteran will be solid boost to the Toronto Blue Jays pitching staff over the final month of the season.
Entering play on Monday, the Blue Jays are 18-14, 4.5 games behind the AL East-leading Tampa Bay Rays, but only one game out of a Wild Card spot.
The Blue Jays also added veteran Taijuan Walker to the rotation a few days ago, sending a Player To Be Named Later to Seattle.
As for Bergen, the lefty appeared in one game for the Toronto Blue Jays this season, giving up one hit and striking out three across 1.2 innings of work. He made his MLB debut last season with the San Francisco Giants, posting a 5.49 ERA and 1.37 WHIP in 21 appearances out of the bullpen.
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There’s still time left for the Toronto Blue Jays to complete another deal. Don’t be surprised to see another bat find their way to Buffalo before the 4 pm trade deadline.