TORONTO — The Toronto Blue Jays entered the trade deadline resting atop the American League East with one of the best records in baseball, 64-46. But July 31 division leads don’t count for much.

The Jays brought in four big league players before the 6 pm deadline, hoping to build on early success and achieve the organization’s first deep playoff run with the core of Vladimir Guerrero Jr. and Bo Bichette. They added relievers Seranthony Domínguez and Louis Varland, starter Shane Bieber, infielder Ty France and catching prospect Brandon Valenzuela. Here are three takeaways from Toronto’s deadline moves.

1. Shane Bieber raises the rotation ceiling

Despite early-season injuries and many spot starts, the Blue Jays’ rotation made it to the deadline largely stable. That stability hasn’t translated into dominance, though. Eric Lauer is the only regular Jays starter with an ERA under 3.80. The starting group, overall, entered Thursday with the seventh-highest ERA in baseball and the Jays’ team ERA (4.27) sits 22nd.

The 2023 Texas Rangers are the only team in the last 15 years to win the World Series with a below-average team ERA. Stable pitching can get you through a regular season. Great pitching wins in October.

Acquiring Shane Bieber, who is currently recovering from Tommy John surgery, is a move to raise Toronto’s pitching ceiling. There’s clear risk — he hasn’t pitched in the big leagues yet this season and already suffered a setback during his recovery in early June. But, if healthy, Bieber can be the playoff-calibre starter the Jays needed.

2. Is the bullpen good enough?

Toronto entered the deadline looking for serious bullpen upgrades. The team’s relief group has been solid this year, buoyed by collective breakouts from Brendon Little, Yariel Rodríguez and Braydon Fisher. But the bullpen still ranked about league average entering Thursday, with a 3.94 ERA.

Seranthony Domínguez and Louis Varland will help that group, no doubt. They solidify a bullpen that’s churned through arms in the final spots over the last few weeks and can contribute in late innings. But is the bullpen good enough?

Other top contenders truly loaded up on relievers. The Phillies added flamethrower Jhoan Duran. The Rays brought in Griffin Jax. The Padres acquired Mason Miller and held onto Robert Suárez. The Mets traded for Gregory Soto, Tyler Rogers and Ryan Helsley. The Yankees brought in Pirates closer David Bednar, San Francisco’s Camilo Doval and Colorado righty Jake Bird.

The Jays were in on Duran and had interest in Miller before he went to the Padres, a league source said. The Miller ask was described as “monumental,” with the top of Toronto’s farm unable to compete with the massive haul that ended up bringing Miller to San Diego — few systems could’ve. Those proven shut-down relievers would’ve significantly eased the burden on Jeff Hoffman. Toronto’s new closer has converted 25 of 29 save opportunities this year, but homer issues and have his ERA sitting at 4.76.

Perhaps the bullpen is now deep enough to help Hoffman by committee. If the Jays get there, October will provide the answer.

3. Jays cash in on top prospects and MLB depth

Ahead of Thursday’s deadline, the Jays informed other teams they were open to moving young MLB position players to address deadline needs, a league source said. In acquiring Domínguez and Bieber, Toronto drew exclusively from the farm, sending out pitching prospects Khal Stephen and Juaron Watts-Brown. But as deadline day wore on, they turned to aforementioned MLB-level talent.

On top of sending out Triple-A pitching prospect Kendrys Rojas, who would’ve needed to be placed on the 40-man roster this winter, general manager Ross Atkins traded outfielder Alan Roden and infielder Will Wagner in the final two deals of Toronto’s deadline. One of the Jays’ biggest strengths amid this 2025 run to the top of the AL East has been significant depth in the upper minors. Players like Wagner, Roden, Joey Loperfido and Jonatan Clase have all pushed up to the top level and helped the Jays win games. On deadline day, at least part of that same group helped the Jays load up with needed weapons for the stretch run.

(Photo of Ross Atkins: Turchiaro / Icon Sportswire via Getty Images)