Blue Jays predicted to bring $56M ex-Cy Young winner to Toronto

The Toronto Blue Jays were one of the best stories of the first half in Major League Baseball, and now they've got to find a way to sustain their momentum.

At 55-41, the Blue Jays are surpassing preseason expectations and narrowly leading the American League East, with the New York Yankees and Boston Red Sox in hot pursuit. With the trade deadline looming, a big addition or two could give Toronto a nice boost in the division's arms race.

Perhaps "arms race" can be taken literally, because the Blue Jays could use help both in their starting rotation and bullpen. They've got a 4.16 team ERA, the 22nd-best in baseball, and their starters have thrown the 24th-most innings, heavily taxing a decent bullpen.

One baseball analyst thinks the Blue Jays are going to pull in the biggest name at the trade deadline to cement their contender status.

During the most recent episode of the "Talkin' Baseball" podcast, Jomboy Media's Jake Storiale predicted that the Blue Jays would acquire Miami Marlins ex-Cy Young Award winner Sandy Alcantara, whose struggles this season have been well-documented.

"You're making an investment in Sandy," Storiale said. "This is his first year coming back, you would in theory get him through 2027, and it's a flashy trade."

Follow The Sporting News On WhatsApp

"If you can't sign guys, trade for them. They (the Blue Jays) need some pitching. Him and Max Scherzer yukking it up, all those veteran pitchers, (it's) a flashy Toronto (move)."

Alcantara is pitching to a 7.22 ERA in 18 starts, good for -1.4 bWAR. It's obvious that he's struggling with his command in his return from Tommy John surgery, but the 29-year-old still has the same arm talent that made him a superstar.

Alcantara's six-year, $56 million extension runs through next year, with a $21 million club option for 2027. It might be seen as risky now for the Blue Jays to make that long-term commitment, but they'd be rewarded handsomely if he ever returned to peak form.

More MLB: Kyle Schwarber makes 61-year Phillies history in All-Star Game victory