With the trade deadline ticking toward Monday’s 6 p.m. finish, the Blue Jays were trying to finish their three-game set against the St. Louis Cardinals with some momentum. Instead, Sunday offered another reminder of the one area Toronto can’t afford to let drift: the offense.
Manager John Schneider had already described the situation as “Murky” when asked about how the deadline could affect his club and its place in the AL wildcard race, where the Jays are chasing several teams for the third and final playoff spot. That uncertainty hung over the day even as deals started to pile up elsewhere, including the headline move of Tarik Skubal being shipped out of Motown to Los Angeles as the two-time reigning champions bolstered their already loaded roster. Tampa, meanwhile, had reportedly landed right-hander Freddy Peralta from the New York Mets.
More moves are expected to keep coming Monday as the market heats up in the final hours before the deadline.
Toronto’s lineup, though, didn’t give much reason for comfort against Cardinals starter Matthew Liberatore. Over six innings, the Jays managed just one hit and struck out seven times. They did find a way to scratch out a tie against reliever George Soriano, the second bullpen arm Toronto saw, when Luis Urias delivered a two-out double in the eighth to bring home the equalizer.
That was as far as it went. In the ninth, Louis Varland allowed two singles and a walk without recording an out, and St. Louis promptly reclaimed the lead.
The Jays still have a few things working in their favour, and George Springer remains one of the most important names on the roster. The three-run Springer dinger that propelled Toronto past Seattle in Game 7 of last year’s ALCS will be etched in franchise history. And as a 10-and-5 player - 10 years of experience, with the past five seasons spent with the same team - Springer has the right to veto any trade.
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Astros Finally Filled A Need But Fans Will Debate The Cost
The Astros made a late push to address their outfield mix by landing Daulton Varsho from the Blue Jays shortly before the trade deadline, a move that gives Houston a needed upgrade as it tries to position itself for the stretch run. Varsho brings immediate help and should slide in as a short-term addition, giving the club another option in a spot that had been needing attention.
The price, though, is the part that will keep the conversation going around Houston. The deal is still working its way through medical review, and the return sent to Toronto was significant enough to make this feel like more than a routine deadline add. For a team that has spent years balancing win-now moves against future value, this one lands squarely in the middle of the familiar Astros debate. [Read more 🡒]
Astros Lose Key Behind The Scenes Voice At A Tough Time
Amid a season that already has demanded plenty of patience, the Astros have lost another important voice from their dugout support staff. Dan Hennigan, the clubs Director of Hitting and Offensive Coordinator, is out after taking an assistant coaching job at Wake Forest, with manager Joe Espada saying Sunday was Hennigans final day on the job.
Houston will keep its current hitting structure intact, with Victor Rodriguez and Anthony Iapoce remaining in their roles as hitting coach and assistant hitting coach. Chuckie Caufield will absorb some of Hennigans duties around the major league team, leaving the Astros to adjust on the fly while trying to keep their offensive work steady through the rest of the season. [Read more 🡒]
Astros Interest In Logan Webb Just Ran Into One Huge Problem
With the trade deadline drawing closer, Logan Webb has surfaced as a name worth watching for clubs looking to add pitching, and the Astros are among the teams said to be interested. Houston has been linked to the San Francisco right-hander along with Atlanta, a reminder that frontline starters tend to draw attention quickly when the market starts to thin out and contenders start checking on every available arm.
The problem for Houston is that San Francisco does not appear inclined to entertain much discussion. Webb is viewed internally as too important to move because of his contract and his place in the Giants' plans, which makes any pursuit a steep climb from the start. Webb has also made clear he wants to stay with the Giants, so even with outside interest building, this feels like one of those deadline whispers where the asking price may never even be the real issue. [Read more 🡒]