The Toronto Blue Jays have been one of the best teams in Major League Baseball and are going to be even better soon.
Toronto has a three-game lead over the Boston Red Sox for first place in the American League East entering play on Monday.
The Blue Jays didn’t have the busiest trade deadline, but they made some great moves nonetheless.
Toronto traded for Seranthony Dominguez from the Baltimore Orioles and he has looked great in a Blue Jays uniform besides his most recent outing where he didn’t record an out and allowed five runs (two unearned).
They also acquired Louis Varland and Ty France from the Minnesota Twins. Varland has been outstanding this season and should play a pivotal role for Toronto moving forward.
However, the best trade of the trade deadline according to The Athletic’s Jim Bowden was the Blue Jays trading for Shane Bieber from the Cleveland Guardians.
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Bieber, 30, hasn’t pitched in MLB this season after undergoing Tommy John surgery early in the 2024 season.
He has looked fantastic in his rehab starts and is progressing toward a return very soon.
“The 2020 American League Cy Young Award winner, who has a career record of 62-32 with a 3.22 ERA, could be a difference-maker this October — if all goes well,” wrote Bowden. “In addition, Bieber gives the Jays another strong starter for 2026, though he could decline his player option. This was a steal.”
Even if Bieber declines his player option and hits free agency, he makes Toronto’s starting rotation look a lot scarier.
Bieber has looked practically unhittable and has ramped up to five innings of work in his latest rehab start.
“I continue to progress, feel better throughout my outings, and in between innings,” said Bieber following his start on Sunday. “I was happy with how today finished up. All in all, just kind of dissecting the outing. There’s still some things to clean up.”
Bieber allowed two earned runs on five hits and one walk, striking out six. Expect to see Bieber pitching in a Blue Jays uniform in the near future.
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