Blue Jays proposed blockbuster brings pair of Royals All-Stars to Toronto

The first half of the 2025 season went as well as the Toronto Blue Jays ever could have dreamed. Now, it's time to keep the momentum rolling.

With the trade deadline fast approaching, the 55-41 Blue Jays will have to make bold moves. The New York Yankees (two games back) and Boston Red Sox (three) will both likely have something to say about Toronto's lead in the hotly competitive American League East.

One area for the Blue Jays to address is the starting rotation, which is aging and not performing quite up to its usual standards in 2025. Toronto could dramatically swing the division odds in their favor by bringing in a legitimate playoff-caliber starter.

A top baseball insider sees the Blue Jays having the ability to land both a top-tier starter and a strong closer in one go.

On Sunday, Jon Heyman of the New York Post proposed a trade in which the Kansas City Royals would send starter Seth Lugo and closer Carlos Estévez to Toronto in exchange for  infielder Orelvis Martinez, outfielder Emmanuel Bonilla, and outfielder RJ Schreck.

"The Royals are still looking to add, not subtract. But if they continue to disappoint, Lugo has an opt-out and would become an obvious sell piece," Heyman wrote.

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Lugo, 35, would be the prize of the deal. He's got a 2.67 ERA in 17 starts, and that's on the heels of a Cy Young Award runner-up finish in 2024. He'd be the best starter traded at the deadline if the Royals were willing to cut him loose.

But Estévez is a big piece as well, and he comes with control for 2026 (club option for 2027 as well). Lugo is making $15 million this season, while Estévez is making $10 million.

Is Toronto all-in? This would be an easy way of proving it.

More MLB: Phillies would land trio of Orioles All-Stars in MLB insider's huge trade proposal