Jays GM wants improvement 'in any possible way' ahead of deadline
Toronto Blue Jays general manager Ross Atkins has his sights set on a few particular areas of need ahead of the upcoming trade deadline.
"We need to make this team better in any possible way," Atkins said Wednesday, according to Sportsnet's Shi Davidi.
The executive hinted the team could be interested in a right-handed bat, a left-handed reliever, and a starting pitcher with an option before Aug. 1 if the right ones are available.
Toronto entered the 2023 campaign with one of baseball's most gifted offenses on paper but has struggled against left-handed pitching (.709 OPS) and with runners in scoring position (.702 OPS). Those marks rank 20th and 27th in the league, respectively.
The Blue Jays have also spent the entire season with one lefty pitcher - Tim Mayza - in the bullpen and rank 23rd in the bigs against left-handed hitting.
The starting rotation could use some stability and depth given Alek Manoah's underperformance and the uncertain future of the returning Hyun Jin Ryu (Tommy John surgery).
A number of trade-deadline options fit the Blue Jays' apparent needs. The team has recently been linked to free-agent slugger Nelson Cruz and is a rumored candidate to reunite with right-hander Marcus Stroman.
Toronto enters Wednesday 11 games over .500 and sits in the American League's second wild-card position.