2) Left-handed reliever Jake Diekman
The Red Sox were both in and out at the trade deadline and one of the players they traded away was reliever Jake Diekman … to another team that is currently on the outside looking in in the Toronto Blue Jays. He would address yet another handed issue for the Blue Jays: they have no left-handed relievers.
On the season, Diekman, 35, has made 49 appearances with a 4.22 ERA (102 ERA+). He is striking out 12 batters per nine innings. His walk rate is too high (6.8 BB/9) but in his last 10 appearances (nine innings), he has walked four batters, which is a much more palatable number.
Lefties are also only hitting .193 with a .664 OPS against him this year. The Blue Jays’ bullpen has a slash line against them of .238/.297/.391 against lefties. That is 19th, 6th, and 13th best in the sport. Especially in the average and slugging percentage department, they could use some help and Diekman could have helped them out there.