The Toronto Blue Jays have solidified their rotation this offseason, but the team may not be done.
Toronto added Dylan Cease, along with Cody Ponce, to join a rotation that features Kevin Gausman, Trey Yesavage, Shane Bieber, and Jose Berrios. Although Bieber will miss the start of the season, the Blue Jays also have Eric Lauer.
Meanwhile, Toronto has reportedly intensified talks to bring back Max Scherzer to add even more pitching depth. Yet, MLB insider Zachary D. Rymer of Bleacher Report urged the Blue Jays to acquire Sandy Alcantara from the Miami Marlins ahead of the 2026 MLB season.
“The Blue Jays’ defense of their AL pennant is already off to a tough start,” Rymer wrote in an article published on Tuesday. “They’re still the best team in the division. But Bowden Francis’ UCL surgery and Shane Bieber’s forearm issue have exposed the shortage of depth in their rotation.
“They should be in on Alcantara just because he’s a horse who could give them 180 innings or so. Even better, he’s a proper ace if he can rediscover his 2022 form. Which seemed to come back alive in the final weeks of last season.”
Alcantara would further bolster Toronto’s rotation and make the Blue Jays’ pitching staff one of the best in all of baseball. Yet, what Toronto would have to give up to acquire him is uncertain.
The 30-year-old won the NL Cy Young Award in 2022 and is a two-time MLB All-Star. However, he did struggle last season at times, as he went 11-12 with a 5.36 ERA in 31 starts.
Blue Jays Looking to Add More Pitching
Toronto’s rotation appeared to be set, but the team may not be done making moves.
The Blue Jays know injuries can happen, and Toronto is keeping its options open to add even more pitching depth. As spring training has begun, Blue Jays insider Ben Nicholson-Smith of Sportsnet reported that Toronto is talking with Scherzer about a reunion.
“While nothing is finalized, the Toronto Blue Jays‘ talks with Max Scherzer have gotten more serious in the last week, industry sources told Sportsnet,” Nicholson-Smith wrote. “Scherzer, the 41-year-old winner of three Cy Young Awards, is a free agent with other potential suitors still in the mix for his services. But the Blue Jays now appear to be his most serious pursuer as recent talks about a potential reunion have taken place.
“Whether an agreement can be completed remains to be seen. But the sides have been discussing a one-year deal that would deepen the Blue Jays’ pitching staff. While also bringing back a competitor whose intensity helped set the tone within the clubhouse for the 2025 team that reached the World Series.”
Scherzer is a future Hall of Famer who was beloved in the clubhouse last season. But Toronto being interested in a reunion with him is interesting, as the rotation appears to be set.
Marlins ‘Open’ to Trading Alcantara
Alcantara’s name has come up in trade rumors for years, but this might be the season he finally gets traded.
The former Cy Young winner would be highly sought after. And, MLB execs believe the Marlins are now open to moving him.
“Is that day going to arrive in the next six weeks? I wouldn’t bet on that,” Jayson Stark of The Athletic wrote. “But as one exec said of the Marlins, “they’re open for business.” Alcantara feels more lined up for a trade deadline shopping spree than a St. Patrick’s Day shopping spree.”
Alcantara is entering the final year of his five-year, $56 million deal. He has a club option for $21 million next season.
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