2026 Blue Jays

[herman]

So how did we do at the deadline? A bit hard to sift through it all. They sold on pending free agents but brought in a controlled pitcher? Anything else we need to know? Are they a better or worse team today? Can't say I was ever a Hoffman or Varsho guy.

Not knowing anything detailed about the prospects or even the bodies coming in, it looks like they aimed for a soft-sell/retool to open flexibility -- pretty similar to the Leafs crash and burn last season but not as drastic (Matthews dud season, Vladdy dud at the plate).

Jays still have good pieces but those key underperformances and injuries were not surmountable by the rest of the team.

I'm sad to see Gausman go, but it really sounds like he's a yo-yo candidate. Feels a bit like they're renting out John Tavares.

Meet the 10 new Blue Jays acquired at the trade deadline

From front-line starters to upper-minors depth, Toronto's deadline class is stacked with intrigue.

www.nytimes.com

🎧BJHH: 236 - The 2026 Trade Deadline Roundup!

The Jays made some trades! So we talked about them!

stoeten.substack.com

(it's like the MLHS podcast but for Jays)

 

[Darryl]

I honestly think Vladdy has been playing hurt most of the season, could be wrong but he does not look like the same player at the plate.

 

[Andy07]

I honestly think Vladdy has been playing hurt most of the season, could be wrong but he does not look like the same player at the plate.

That would make alot of sense, but it would also be crazy to have him play injured all year when literally any scrub off the waiver wire could likely replicate his potentially injury-plagued stat line. That launch angle issue, though, has been a problem for multiple years, and his power has dwindled significantly the last few seasons (though, weirdly, not 2025 playoffs. So I have no idea what's going on )

 

[Derk]

Another series win today vs. Houston. Progress?

And Eric Lauer pitched his first real dud with the Dodgers today, coincidentally after they picked up Skubal, which could more than likely relegate him to the bullpen once again.

 

[Andy07]

Another series win today vs. Houston. Progress?

And Eric Lauer pitched his first real dud with the Dodgers today, coincidentally after they picked up Skubal, which could more than likely relegate him to the bullpen once again.

If you really kinda dig into Lauer's stat line with L.A, it looks like he might be benefiting from a little luck and having an elite team behind him. His K's are still down and his FIP projects him to have an ERA over 5. But man, that rotation is stacked!