The Toronto Blue Jays are another team in contention and could use a late 20s, solid starting pitcher. The Blue Jays are just a tad better than the league average in a few key statistical pitching categories.
The Blue Jays’ WHIP is 1.257 which is a tick better than the league average of 1.277. However, a solid indicator of how good a pitching staff is ERA+ and the Blue Jays are in top 10 territory with a 116. The league-leading Mets are offset and assisted by Jacob deGrom’s insanely good season. The Blue Jays (40-36) are six games back from the first-place Boston Red Sox and 5.5 games behind the second-place Tampa Bay Rays.
The Blue Jays are another team where if you look at their staff on paper, you may say they do not need another pitcher. However, with injuries and the unknown, you will always be able to find a spot for an above average starting pitcher.
The Blue Jays could also include one of their older starting pitchers in the deal such as a Ross Stripling (31 years old) or Steven Matz (30 years old), when healthy. Now, Stripling and Matz exclusively will not get the deal done but it could assist in opening a spot in the rotation and to create some payroll flexibility for the future.
Matz is playing on a one-year deal and will be a free agent at the end of 2021. Stripling, on the other hand, is arbitration-eligible and will receive a raise from his current salary of $3 million. Stripling will not be a free agent until 2023, making him a bit more attractive in a possible trade.
By trading for Berrios, the Blue Jays improve their starting rotation, become a younger starting rotation, and have the opportunity to sign a number two or three hole starting pitcher long term to compete with Vlad Guerrero Jr., Cavan Biggio and Bo Bichette for years to come.