Blue Jays-Tigers trade pitch sends $32M Cy Young arm to Toronto to supercharge World Series dreams

The Toronto Blue Jays faced the Los Angeles Dodgers in the World Series last October. However, based on the way this season has started, Toronto does not look like a World Series contender.

The starting rotation and bullpen have been plagued by injuries so far. It has been difficult to find consistency when the team seems to be dealing with a new injury every week. Max Scherzer and Shane Bieber are both working their way back for the Blue Jays.

“Now, it is highly likely that Scherzer is going to be the first man to return as he threw in Triple-A and has already played this year. While Bieber, on the other hand, hasn't stepped into Toronto's dugout yet in '26, and they will not rush an elbow injury,” SI’s Maddy Dickens wrote.

The Blue Jays are expected to be active at the trade deadline. One name they are believed to be pursuing is Tarik Skubal.

“Now that it’s becoming inevitable that the free-falling Detroit Tigers may have no choice but to trade two-time Cy Young winner Tarik Skubal at the deadline, rival executives believe the bidding will come down to four finalists that not only can afford the remainder of his $32 million contract, but will also be willing to give up prized prospects: The Los Angeles Dodgers, New York Yankees, Toronto Blue Jays and San Diego Padres,” USA Today’s Bob Nightengale wrote.

A trade package for Skubal would likely require Toronto to part with its top position-player prospect and additional young talent.

“No. 7. Toronto Blue Jays," Bowden wrote. "I think the Blue Jays would have a difficult time winning the Skubal sweepstakes unless they included shortstop JoJo Parker, their top position player prospect, and either left-hander Johnny King or both right-handers Gage Stanifer and Nolan Perry. Shortstop Arjun Nimmala could also come up in conversations. However, the Blue Jays might just pay the price, knowing how close they came to winning the World Series last year and how Skubal would really improve their chances this year,” The Athletic’s Jim Bowden wrote.

The Blue Jays may have a losing record right now, but they have the talent to get back into the postseason race. Sometimes all a team needs is a spark, and acquiring arguably the best pitcher in baseball could provide exactly that.

Toronto improved its roster after reaching the World Series, which is why its slow start has been so surprising. However, it only takes a little momentum to turn a season around, and a new ace at the top of the rotation could be exactly what the Blue Jays need.