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MLB Trade Deadline: Buyers’ Untouchable Prospects

By Kyle Franzoni

Jul 5, 2015; Los Angeles, CA, USA; New York Mets starting pitcher Steven Matz (32) throws the ball in the first inning against the Los Angeles Dodgers at Dodger Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Jayne Kamin-Oncea-USA TODAY Sports
Jul 5, 2015; Los Angeles, CA, USA; New York Mets starting pitcher Steven Matz (32) throws the ball in the first inning against the Los Angeles Dodgers at Dodger Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Jayne Kamin-Oncea-USA TODAY Sports /
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Apr 19, 2015; Toronto, Ontario, CAN; Toronto Blue Jays starting pitcher Daniel Norris (32) throws a pitch during first inning in a game against the Atlanta Braves at Rogers Centre. Mandatory Credit: Nick Turchiaro-USA TODAY Sports
Apr 19, 2015; Toronto, Ontario, CAN; Toronto Blue Jays starting pitcher Daniel Norris (32) throws a pitch during first inning in a game against the Atlanta Braves at Rogers Centre. Mandatory Credit: Nick Turchiaro-USA TODAY Sports /

Toronto Blue Jays

Needs: Starting pitching, relief help

Targets: Johnny Cueto, Scott Kazmir, Mike Fiers, Mat Latos, Jonathan Papelbon, Francisco Rodriguez

The Toronto Blue Jays are perhaps the biggest bubble team as the MLB trade deadline approaches. The team sits 4.5 games behind the New York Yankees in the A.L. East and badly needs to add pitching to both its rotation and bullpen if they want a shot at their first postseason appearance since 1993. The offense can carry this team for a long time, but without upgrade to its pitching staff, the Blue Jays will remain inconsistent past the point where more consistency is required.

While in the past, the team has been rather quiet at the deadline under GM Alex Anthopoulos, the big boss may be feeling a bit of pressure from management to get this team into October and as such, Anthopoulos may be a bit more prudent in making a move this summer. Unfortunately, that is going to require some creativity from the Blue Jays, as their farm system has been stripped of some high-end prospects in recent deals.

That may make Toronto hesitant to include lefty Daniel Norris or right-hander Jeff Hoffman in a trade, as both represent the future of what could be a very talented Blue Jays rotation in the next few years. Additionally, the team will not even start a conversation that mentions pitchers Aaron Sanchez or Marcus Stroman, even if they are outside of the prospect window.

Norris received a few starts in Toronto to begin the season, but the results were a tad inconsistent with a 1-1 record and a 3.86 in five appearances, albeit with 12 walks over 23.1 innings of work. However, that hasn’t faded his prospect status in any way. Back at Triple-A, Norris has shown flashes of returning to the form that saw him jump from High-A to the Major League in 2014. A true four-pitch lefty, Norris works off an arsenal that includes a mid-90’s fastball, a change-up, a slider, and a big curve.

Jeff Hoffman is a bit of a different story. While the Blue Jays may listen on Norris, Hoffman is completely off the table. Once thought to be the first overall pick of the 2014 draft, he fell to the Blue Jays at #9 after needing Tommy John surgery prior to the draft. Since making his professional debut on May 20th, the Blue Jays have kept the kids gloves off and are allowing Hoffman to climb quickly. 12 starts in, he is already at Double-A New Hampshire and has a cumulative 3-3 record with a 3.18 ERA and a 2.73 K/BB ratio across two levels. He could join the Blue Jays rotation as early as mid-2016.

Toronto still has other intriguing prospects in their system, including Hoffman’s fellow 2014 first round pick, catcher Max Pentecost. Pitchers Matt Boyd and Miguel Castro have also been showcased at the Major League level in 2015 and could perks some interest on the market, as could right-hander Sean Reid-Foley, third baseman Mitch Nay, and left-hander Jairo LaBourt.

Next: Mets are not Conforto with moving this prospect

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