Blue Jays predicted to trade for $32M 2-time Cy Young winner to reignite World Series hopes

Blue Jays predicted to trade for $32M 2-time Cy Young winner to reignite World Series hopes originally appeared on The Sporting News. Add The Sporting News as a Preferred Source by clicking here.

>The Toronto Blue Jays are trying to get back above a winning record, but it will be difficult as they head on the road to Atlanta for their next series. The season so far has been an absolute nightmare.

>Injuries to the pitching staff have made things challenging for the Blue Jays. However, pitchers like Max Scherzer and Shane Bieber are working their way back from injury, as both have already made rehab starts.

>Toronto is likely to look to add a pitcher or two to the rotation, as the injuries have made it clear that nothing is guaranteed. The Blue Jays could swing a trade for Detroit Tigers ace Tarik Skubal to change the direction of their season.

>“Toronto Blue Jays get LHP Tarik Skubal; Detroit Tigers get SS JoJo Parker (Blue Jays No. 2), LHP Johnny King (Blue Jays No. 4). Both are shortstops, and Parker's status as MLB's No. 38 prospect underscores his upside. It's still abstract given that he's only 19 years old and a year removed from the draft, but his mold is that of a bat-first shortstop. King would be more of a project, albeit one who is also a top-100 prospect (No. 84) and moving with some helium. He's pitched 27.2 innings at High-A and allowed 18 hits next to 39 strikeouts,” Bleacher Report’s Zachary D. Rymer wrote.

>This would be a major power move for the Blue Jays, as it could reshape their entire season. However, Toronto would have competition in the Skubal sweepstakes.

>“Now that it’s becoming inevitable that the free-falling Detroit Tigers may have no choice but to trade two-time Cy Young winner Tarik Skubal at the deadline, rival executives believe the bidding will come down to four finalists that not only can afford the remainder of his $32 million contract, but will also be willing to give up prized prospects: The Los Angeles Dodgers, New York Yankees, Toronto Blue Jays and San Diego Padres,” USA Today’s Bob Nightengale wrote.

>The Blue Jays already assembled a strong rotation during the offseason, but it has not stayed healthy. A fully healthy Blue Jays staff with Skubal would be a nightmare matchup for opposing teams.

>Toronto has the assets to make a deal happen and could even look to extend Skubal beyond this season if acquired. Despite the slow start, a move like this would immediately push them back into legitimate World Series contention.

>More MLB news:

Braves-Mets trade pitch sends $22M World Series champion reliever to Atlanta in unusual move • >Braves electric young arm set to begin rehab assignment, could force Grant Holmes to bullpen • >Braves' Ronald Acuna Jr. grants Chris Sale's wish as home run floodgates open after slow start • >Braves predicted to trade JR Ritchie, No. 1 prospect for $32M Cy Young winner to boost rotation