The Toronto Blue Jays’ rotation is full of steady, dependable veterans, yet lacks the elite upside of their contending counterparts. 
None of their top three – Kevin Gausman, Chris Bassitt and Jose Berrios – are in the top 25 in either ERA or FIP, and their starters’ high ERA and low innings total <a href="https://bluejaysnation.com/news/blue-jays-should-look-add-top-end-starter-deadline">highlight the rotation as an area of need.</a>  
There are a few intriguing top-end starters that have been <a href="https://x.com/JimBowdenGM/status/1950328210408849572">reported to potentially be available,</a> including <a href="https://bluejaysnation.com/news/toronto-blue-jays-trade-deadline-target-dylan-cease">Dylan Cease,</a> who hasn’t had great results but has better underlying numbers, and <a href="https://bluejaysnation.com/news/toronto-blue-jays-trade-deadline-dreamin-with-the-national-league-east">Mackenzie Gore,</a> whose 3.54 ERA, 3.28 FIP and 29.3 per cent strikeout rate have firmly placed him among MLB’s best. <span data-ccp-props="{&quot;134233117&quot;:false,&quot;134233118&quot;:false,&quot;201341983&quot;:0,&quot;335551550&quot;:1,&quot;335551620&quot;:1,&quot;335559685&quot;:0,&quot;335559737&quot;:0,&quot;335559738&quot;:0,&quot;335559739&quot;:160,&quot;335559740&quot;:279}"> 
But Minnesota Twins right-hander Joe Ryan is the crown jewel of the starting pitching market, as after years of consistent output, the 29-year-old first-time all-star is amidst the best season of his career. <span data-ccp-props="{&quot;134233117&quot;:false,&quot;134233118&quot;:false,&quot;201341983&quot;:0,&quot;335551550&quot;:1,&quot;335551620&quot;:1,&quot;335559685&quot;:0,&quot;335559737&quot;:0,&quot;335559738&quot;:0,&quot;335559739&quot;:160,&quot;335559740&quot;:279}"> 
<h3 class="mb-5 text-2xl font-bold">Scouting report</h3>
Ryan has a 2.82 ERA with 137 strikeouts and only 24 walks over 121 1/3 innings. While he has allowed hard contact, his 24.4 percent K-BB% ranks third in the major leagues, and this high-level ability to limit balls in play and walks has resulted in strong underlying numbers that back up his results. <span data-ccp-props="{&quot;134233117&quot;:false,&quot;134233118&quot;:false,&quot;201341983&quot;:0,&quot;335551550&quot;:1,&quot;335551620&quot;:1,&quot;335559685&quot;:0,&quot;335559737&quot;:0,&quot;335559738&quot;:0,&quot;335559739&quot;:160,&quot;335559740&quot;:279}"> 
<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" data-width="550" data-dnt="true">
Joe Ryan was phenomenal today.
7 IP, 5 H, ER, 0 BB, 11 K
18 Whiff, 13 on his 4-Seamer.<a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/MNTwins?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#MNTwins</a> <a href="https://t.co/VLBGO06VNX">pic.twitter.com/VLBGO06VNX</a>
&mdash; Eric Cross (@EricCrossMLB) <a href="https://twitter.com/EricCrossMLB/status/1947044952715755892?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">July 20, 2025</a></blockquote>
<script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>
Ryan throws a six-pitch mix, anchored by a four-seam fastball that he throws 52 per cent of the time and grades out as the best pitch in baseball with a plus-21 run value per Statcast. While the pitch has slightly below average velocity (93.5 m.p.h.) and induced vertical break (13.5 inches), his 113 location+ with the four-seam (a count and pitch type-adjusted measure of a pitcher’s ability to locate) ranks third among starters. <span data-ccp-props="{&quot;134233117&quot;:false,&quot;134233118&quot;:false,&quot;201341983&quot;:0,&quot;335551550&quot;:1,&quot;335551620&quot;:1,&quot;335559685&quot;:0,&quot;335559737&quot;:0,&quot;335559738&quot;:0,&quot;335559739&quot;:160,&quot;335559740&quot;:279}"> 
He only throws a curveball two per cent of the time, but his other four secondary offerings – a sweeper, splitter, sinker and slider – all have between 13 and eight per cent usage. His sweeper has 20 inches of horizontal break and the highest whiff rate of his repertoire at 37 per cent, while his sinker has the highest putaway percentage at 24. <span data-ccp-props="{&quot;134233117&quot;:false,&quot;134233118&quot;:false,&quot;201341983&quot;:0,&quot;335551550&quot;:1,&quot;335551620&quot;:1,&quot;335559685&quot;:0,&quot;335559737&quot;:0,&quot;335559738&quot;:0,&quot;335559739&quot;:160,&quot;335559740&quot;:279}"> 
<h3 class="mb-5 text-2xl font-bold">Contract situation</h3>
With two more years of arbitration eligibility remaining before he becomes a free agent in 2028, the cost for Ryan would undoubtedly be enormous. 
Yet the enduring argument is that the hope is for prospects to turn out as impact big leaguers like Ryan. Given that the Blue Jays are well-positioned to win their division for the first time since 2015 and get a bye to the ALDS for the first time since the current postseason format was introduced in 2022, they are deserving of a true high-end starter to push them over the top. <span data-ccp-props="{&quot;134233117&quot;:false,&quot;134233118&quot;:false,&quot;201341983&quot;:0,&quot;335551550&quot;:1,&quot;335551620&quot;:1,&quot;335559685&quot;:0,&quot;335559737&quot;:0,&quot;335559738&quot;:0,&quot;335559739&quot;:160,&quot;335559740&quot;:279}"> 
Ryan is earning $3 million in salary this season and would certainly be due for a raise in arbitration in 2026. <span data-ccp-props="{&quot;134233117&quot;:false,&quot;134233118&quot;:false,&quot;201341983&quot;:0,&quot;335551550&quot;:1,&quot;335551620&quot;:1,&quot;335559685&quot;:0,&quot;335559737&quot;:0,&quot;335559738&quot;:0,&quot;335559739&quot;:160,&quot;335559740&quot;:279}"> 
<h3>How does Ryan help the Blue Jays?<span data-ccp-props="{&quot;134233117&quot;:false,&quot;134233118&quot;:false,&quot;201341983&quot;:0,&quot;335551550&quot;:1,&quot;335551620&quot;:1,&quot;335559685&quot;:0,&quot;335559737&quot;:0,&quot;335559738&quot;:0,&quot;335559739&quot;:160,&quot;335559740&quot;:279}"> </h3>
Ryan would immediately slot in as the Blue Jays&#8217; go-to arm in the rotation, and while that could change depending on both his and Gausman’s performance down the stretch, having those two lined up to start games one and two of a postseason series inspires confidence. <span data-ccp-props="{&quot;134233117&quot;:false,&quot;134233118&quot;:false,&quot;201341983&quot;:0,&quot;335551550&quot;:1,&quot;335551620&quot;:1,&quot;335559685&quot;:0,&quot;335559737&quot;:0,&quot;335559738&quot;:0,&quot;335559739&quot;:160,&quot;335559740&quot;:279}"> 
Bassitt and Berrios, while serviceable and potential options as playoff starters, have been inconsistent and prone to bad luck on balls in play. Berrios, in particular, <a href="https://bluejaysnation.com/news/blue-jays-jose-berrioss-underlying-numbers-are-a-potential-cause-for-concern">has concerning underlying numbers.</a>
Acquiring Ryan, a controllable starter in his prime, would cost a ton. When the Blue Jays made a trade with the Twins for Berrios in 2021, Simeon Woods Richardson and Austin Martin went the other way – both top 100 prospects at the time. Berrios also had one less year of control, and Ryan is better. But the Blue Jays also have 95.5% odds to make the playoffs, and 7.2% odds to win the World Series (per FanGraphs). Plus, Toronto wouldn&#8217;t be trading top prospects for rental, as Ryan would be a stalwart member of the rotation for at least two more full seasons. 
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The Toronto Blue Jays’ rotation is full of steady, dependable veterans, yet lacks the elite upside of their contending counterparts. 

None of their top three – Kevin Gausman, Chris Bassitt and Jose Berrios – are in the top 25 in either ERA or FIP, and their starters’ high ERA and low innings total <a href="https://bluejaysnation.com/news/blue-jays-should-look-add-top-end-starter-deadline">highlight the rotation as an area of need.</a>  

There are a few intriguing top-end starters that have been <a href="https://x.com/JimBowdenGM/status/1950328210408849572">reported to potentially be available,</a> including <a href="https://bluejaysnation.com/news/toronto-blue-jays-trade-deadline-target-dylan-cease">Dylan Cease,</a> who hasn’t had great results but has better underlying numbers, and <a href="https://bluejaysnation.com/news/toronto-blue-jays-trade-deadline-dreamin-with-the-national-league-east">Mackenzie Gore,</a> whose 3.54 ERA, 3.28 FIP and 29.3 per cent strikeout rate have firmly placed him among MLB’s best. <span data-ccp-props="{&quot;134233117&quot;:false,&quot;134233118&quot;:false,&quot;201341983&quot;:0,&quot;335551550&quot;:1,&quot;335551620&quot;:1,&quot;335559685&quot;:0,&quot;335559737&quot;:0,&quot;335559738&quot;:0,&quot;335559739&quot;:160,&quot;335559740&quot;:279}"> 

But Minnesota Twins right-hander Joe Ryan is the crown jewel of the starting pitching market, as after years of consistent output, the 29-year-old first-time all-star is amidst the best season of his career. <span data-ccp-props="{&quot;134233117&quot;:false,&quot;134233118&quot;:false,&quot;201341983&quot;:0,&quot;335551550&quot;:1,&quot;335551620&quot;:1,&quot;335559685&quot;:0,&quot;335559737&quot;:0,&quot;335559738&quot;:0,&quot;335559739&quot;:160,&quot;335559740&quot;:279}"> 
<h3 class="mb-5 text-2xl font-bold">Scouting report</h3>
Ryan has a 2.82 ERA with 137 strikeouts and only 24 walks over 121 1/3 innings. While he has allowed hard contact, his 24.4 percent K-BB% ranks third in the major leagues, and this high-level ability to limit balls in play and walks has resulted in strong underlying numbers that back up his results. <span data-ccp-props="{&quot;134233117&quot;:false,&quot;134233118&quot;:false,&quot;201341983&quot;:0,&quot;335551550&quot;:1,&quot;335551620&quot;:1,&quot;335559685&quot;:0,&quot;335559737&quot;:0,&quot;335559738&quot;:0,&quot;335559739&quot;:160,&quot;335559740&quot;:279}"> 

https://twitter.com/EricCrossMLB/status/1947044952715755892

Ryan throws a six-pitch mix, anchored by a four-seam fastball that he throws 52 per cent of the time and grades out as the best pitch in baseball with a plus-21 run value per Statcast. While the pitch has slightly below average velocity (93.5 m.p.h.) and induced vertical break (13.5 inches), his 113 location+ with the four-seam (a count and pitch type-adjusted measure of a pitcher’s ability to locate) ranks third among starters. <span data-ccp-props="{&quot;134233117&quot;:false,&quot;134233118&quot;:false,&quot;201341983&quot;:0,&quot;335551550&quot;:1,&quot;335551620&quot;:1,&quot;335559685&quot;:0,&quot;335559737&quot;:0,&quot;335559738&quot;:0,&quot;335559739&quot;:160,&quot;335559740&quot;:279}"> 

He only throws a curveball two per cent of the time, but his other four secondary offerings – a sweeper, splitter, sinker and slider – all have between 13 and eight per cent usage. His sweeper has 20 inches of horizontal break and the highest whiff rate of his repertoire at 37 per cent, while his sinker has the highest putaway percentage at 24. <span data-ccp-props="{&quot;134233117&quot;:false,&quot;134233118&quot;:false,&quot;201341983&quot;:0,&quot;335551550&quot;:1,&quot;335551620&quot;:1,&quot;335559685&quot;:0,&quot;335559737&quot;:0,&quot;335559738&quot;:0,&quot;335559739&quot;:160,&quot;335559740&quot;:279}"> 
<h3 class="mb-5 text-2xl font-bold">Contract situation</h3>
With two more years of arbitration eligibility remaining before he becomes a free agent in 2028, the cost for Ryan would undoubtedly be enormous. 

Yet the enduring argument is that the hope is for prospects to turn out as impact big leaguers like Ryan. Given that the Blue Jays are well-positioned to win their division for the first time since 2015 and get a bye to the ALDS for the first time since the current postseason format was introduced in 2022, they are deserving of a true high-end starter to push them over the top. <span data-ccp-props="{&quot;134233117&quot;:false,&quot;134233118&quot;:false,&quot;201341983&quot;:0,&quot;335551550&quot;:1,&quot;335551620&quot;:1,&quot;335559685&quot;:0,&quot;335559737&quot;:0,&quot;335559738&quot;:0,&quot;335559739&quot;:160,&quot;335559740&quot;:279}"> 

Ryan is earning $3 million in salary this season and would certainly be due for a raise in arbitration in 2026. <span data-ccp-props="{&quot;134233117&quot;:false,&quot;134233118&quot;:false,&quot;201341983&quot;:0,&quot;335551550&quot;:1,&quot;335551620&quot;:1,&quot;335559685&quot;:0,&quot;335559737&quot;:0,&quot;335559738&quot;:0,&quot;335559739&quot;:160,&quot;335559740&quot;:279}"> 
<h3>How does Ryan help the Blue Jays?<span data-ccp-props="{&quot;134233117&quot;:false,&quot;134233118&quot;:false,&quot;201341983&quot;:0,&quot;335551550&quot;:1,&quot;335551620&quot;:1,&quot;335559685&quot;:0,&quot;335559737&quot;:0,&quot;335559738&quot;:0,&quot;335559739&quot;:160,&quot;335559740&quot;:279}"> </h3>
Ryan would immediately slot in as the Blue Jays' go-to arm in the rotation, and while that could change depending on both his and Gausman’s performance down the stretch, having those two lined up to start games one and two of a postseason series inspires confidence. <span data-ccp-props="{&quot;134233117&quot;:false,&quot;134233118&quot;:false,&quot;201341983&quot;:0,&quot;335551550&quot;:1,&quot;335551620&quot;:1,&quot;335559685&quot;:0,&quot;335559737&quot;:0,&quot;335559738&quot;:0,&quot;335559739&quot;:160,&quot;335559740&quot;:279}"> 

Bassitt and Berrios, while serviceable and potential options as playoff starters, have been inconsistent and prone to bad luck on balls in play. Berrios, in particular, <a href="https://bluejaysnation.com/news/blue-jays-jose-berrioss-underlying-numbers-are-a-potential-cause-for-concern">has concerning underlying numbers.</a>

Acquiring Ryan, a controllable starter in his prime, would cost a ton. When the Blue Jays made a trade with the Twins for Berrios in 2021, Simeon Woods Richardson and Austin Martin went the other way – both top 100 prospects at the time. Berrios also had one less year of control, and Ryan is better. But the Blue Jays also have 95.5% odds to make the playoffs, and 7.2% odds to win the World Series (per FanGraphs). Plus, Toronto wouldn't be trading top prospects for rental, as Ryan would be a stalwart member of the rotation for at least two more full seasons. 

<hr />

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&nbsp;

Blue Jays trade deadline target: Joe Ryan

Boston Red Sox shortstop Trevor Story (10) congratulates third baseman Alex Bregman (2) on his solo home run against the Toronto Blue Jays during the first inning at Rogers Centre

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