The Toronto Blue Jays enter play on Friday 2 1/2 games out of a wild card spot, and reportedly want to be buyers at the trade deadline.
The American League is weak this year, and no team will want to sell knowing that the race to get into the postseason is wide open. The Blue Jays spent big in the offseason, but injuries have kept them from dominating this year. However, they are getting healthier and can still make a run into October.
"The Jays want to buy, but will prepare to go either way, according to a person briefed on their thinking," The Athletic's Ken Rosenthal reported on Friday.
The Blue Jays know their team is capable of making a deep run again, but they have some holes to fill. Adding to the rotation may be a focus, but they could also use another bat. Andrés Giménez is a good defender and under team control through 2029, but the team could really use an upgrade offensively at shortstop.
The outfield is also a group the Blue Jays could look to improve. Jesús Sánchez and Nathan Lukes have been good, but they could really use another reliable bat. George Springer has struggled this year as well, so adding any kind of bat would be beneficial for their offense.
The deadline will provide them plenty of options to get better, but if they struggle in their first two series, they may have to consider selling. Obviously, it's not their first choice in a weak American League, but buying is not a guarantee.