Fansided

MLB trade rumors: One player each team should target

By Joshua Sadlock

PITTSBURGH, PA - JUNE 27: Andrew McCutchen #22 of the Pittsburgh Pirates catches a ball hit by Wilson Ramos #40 of the Tampa Bay Rays (not pictured) during the sixth inning at PNC Park on June 27, 2017 in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. (Photo by Joe Sargent/Getty Images)
PITTSBURGH, PA - JUNE 27: Andrew McCutchen #22 of the Pittsburgh Pirates catches a ball hit by Wilson Ramos #40 of the Tampa Bay Rays (not pictured) during the sixth inning at PNC Park on June 27, 2017 in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. (Photo by Joe Sargent/Getty Images) /
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ATLANTA, GA – JUNE 06: Howie Kendrick #47 of the Philadelphia Phillies hits a single in the eighth inning against the Atlanta Braves at SunTrust Park on June 6, 2017 in Atlanta, Georgia. (Photo by Kevin C. Cox/Getty Images)
ATLANTA, GA – JUNE 06: Howie Kendrick #47 of the Philadelphia Phillies hits a single in the eighth inning against the Atlanta Braves at SunTrust Park on June 6, 2017 in Atlanta, Georgia. (Photo by Kevin C. Cox/Getty Images) /

Toronto Blue Jays: Howie Kendrick

The Blue Jays will not be able to significantly improve their team at the deadline without giving up top prospect Vladimir Guerrero Jr. That’s probably not going to happen with the 2017 squad continuing to fall ever further below .500 after playing good baseball in the month of June. The Jays have one of the oldest teams in the American League, and it is showing this year.

Toronto can make a minor move in hopes of jumpstarting their offense. The lineup has not been the same since losing Devon Travis to a knee injury. Travis was having one of the best seasons by a second baseman in the league, but will now be out until September. He may be back in time for the final two weeks of the season and the playoffs, but that is best-case scenario.

The Jays should be looking for an upgrade at second base that can give them more than Darwin Barney or Ryan Goins. Howie Kendrick is the best option unless the front office wants to be more aggressive and make a push for Josh Harrison of the Pirates. Kendrick is a solid veteran hitter who can also play left field or right field in a pinch to give Jose Bautista some time off.

Kendrick makes sense for the Blue Jays in that he will not cost them a top prospect, but will step in and instantly upgrade a position of need. This has the potential to match the spark Ben Revere, an underrated part of the team’s second-half surge in 2015, provided the last time the Blue Jays made a trade with the Phillies.

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