When the Toronto Blue Jays opened the 2025 season, the hope from both the front office and fans alike was simple: make it to the trade deadline with a reason to buy. Now, with fewer than six weeks to go until July 31, it appears they’ve done just that.

At 40-34, the Blue Jays currently find themselves sitting in a Wild Card spot and looking very much like a team that will be active — and aggressive — at this year’s deadline. According to the latest reports, Toronto could end up being one of the biggest buyers in all of Major League Baseball. And if even half the rumours are true, the rest of the season could look very different for this club.

It doesn’t take a genius to figure out what Toronto’s biggest need is right now: starting pitching. Despite the team’s recent surge, depth in the rotation remains a glaring concern. Bowden Francis is now injured, and even when he was healthy, he struggled to live up to his late-season numbers from last year. Even with the incoming returns of Max Scherzer and Alek Manoah on the horizon, neither can be counted on to shoulder a playoff push — Scherzer due to age and injury, Manoah due to inconsistency and because he’s still likely two months away.

Thankfully, the Blue Jays seem well aware. In a recent column for The Athletic, Jim Bowden wrote, “The Blue Jays have made acquiring a starting pitcher their priority at this deadline.” Bowden even named a few possible fits: Diamondbacks arms Zac Gallen and Merrill Kelly (should Arizona decide to sell), or Angels southpaw Tyler Anderson.

All would be solid additions, but there’s one name that might make even more sense for Toronto: Andrew Heaney.

According to Bob Nightengale of USA Today, Heaney is a name to watch if the Pirates make him available. The 34-year-old veteran lefty is on a one-year deal worth under $6 million, which makes him a financially flexible option. For a team acquiring him in July, it would mean taking on less than $3 million in remaining salary.

Performance-wise, Heaney has been quietly solid. He holds a 3-6 record with a 3.94 ERA—if the season ended today, it would be the third-best ERA of his career, and the other two campaigns only saw him make 14 and 18 starts, respectively. He’s been reliable, experienced, and, crucially, he’s a left-handed arm—something the current Blue Jays rotation could use more of.

But perhaps most importantly, Heaney offers value. He’s pitching well, comes cheap financially, and would give the Jays flexibility to pursue additional upgrades elsewhere. That said, the Pirates are expected to command a decent return.

As Bowden notes, “The Pirates believe they could get a healthy return for veteran starter Andrew Heaney at the trade deadline.” And with the number of available starters reportedly shrinking, that price tag may only rise.

As always, supply and demand will dictate the market. Mark Feinsand at MLB.com recently published a list of expected trade candidates, and it’s clear that impact starters are in short supply. That scarcity, combined with the number of fringe playoff teams also in need of arms, could create a bidding war for guys like Heaney, Kelly, and Anderson.

It’s a tricky needle to thread: the Blue Jays need to improve, but they also must be careful not to overpay for a rental. Still, if the goal is to make a real run in October, Ross Atkins and company will need to get aggressive—and soon.

One thing is clear: the Blue Jays will be active. There’s a sense of direction and urgency in the front office that hasn’t always been there in recent seasons. Whether it’s Andrew Heaney or another arm, Toronto’s path forward is obvious—and it likely leads through the trade market.

The next few weeks could very well determine the outcome of this season.

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