Blue Jays' 'best fit' at trade deadline is $55 million Pirates All-Star

For the Toronto Blue Jays, the trade deadline is an opportunity to cement contender status.

It's been a magical June and July so far for the Blue Jays, but soon August will arrive, and early summer momentum will give way to the dog days. The teams who load up on talent at the deadline will stand the best chance of weathering the storm.

The Blue Jays' top need right now projects to be starting pitching. They have the 24th-best rotation ERA in baseball, so it's surprising they've managed to get into such a commanding position atop the division, and they're losing Chris Bassitt and Max Scherzer to free agency.

A starter with team control beyond this season would be the dream acquisition, and ESPN's Jeff Passan has such a starter in mind.

On Wednesday, Passan named Pittsburgh Pirates starter Mitch Keller as the "best fit" for the Blue Jays at the trade deadline, as the former All-Star righty is under contract through 2028.

"The Blue Jays' magical run this season has warranted an aggressive tack and if they don't wake up Aug. 1 with at least one impact arm acquired, the disappointment will be palpable," Passan wrote.

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"With Chris Bassitt and Max Scherzer headed to free agency after this season and Kevin Gausman following 2026, getting an under-control starter -- such as Keller, who has three years at around $55 million remaining on his deal after this season -- is a priority."

The Blue Jays haven't had a ton of success luring top arms to Toronto in free agency, so even if Keller isn't a Cy Young contender, it would be nice to lock him up on a below-market deal. That gives them help now and flexibility going forward.

Keller also should be one of the more gettable targets among starters at this deadline, so he's there for the taking if the Blue Jays can win the race.

More MLB: Blue Jays linked to potential Cy Young Award-winning blockbuster