TORONTO \u2014 The Toronto Blue Jays are 5-4 since the MLB trade deadline. Despite a series loss in Los Angeles, they\u2019ve maintained a lead in the American League East and remain in contention for a postseason bye.<\/p>\n
However, the impact of the Jays\u2019 deadline moves still lingers. Here are three notes on the aftermath of Toronto\u2019s trades, from Shane Bieber\u2019s nearing return to the farm system\u2019s progress:<\/p>\n
Navigating a six-man rotation<\/p>\n
The Blue Jays face an impending rotation decision. Bieber pushed up to 78 pitches and 5 \u2154 innings in his latest Triple-A outing. His 30-day rehab window is set to end later this week, likely leaving time for just one more tuneup start. The dilemma is clear: bump a starter to the bullpen or start a six-man rotation?<\/p>\n
No Jays starting pitcher is an obvious candidate for demotion, so a six-man rotation would avoid (or delay) a difficult decision. However, it would also mean the Jays would roster a shortened bullpen until September roster expansion. And while an expanded rotation gives current starters more rest down the stretch, it could throw off routines.<\/p>\n
\u201cWe have some off days,\u201d manager John Schneider said. \u201cSo do you want them that well rested, or do you want to keep them a little bit regular?\u201d<\/p>\n
Potential Blue Jays six-man rotation schedule<\/p>\n
Shane Bieber<\/p>\n<\/td>\n
22-Aug<\/p>\n<\/td>\n
29-Aug<\/p>\n<\/td>\n
05-Sep<\/p>\n<\/td>\n
6 & 6<\/p>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Eric Lauer<\/p>\n<\/td>\n
23-Aug<\/p>\n<\/td>\n
30-Aug<\/p>\n<\/td>\n
06-Sep<\/p>\n<\/td>\n
6 & 6<\/p>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Jos\u00e9 Berr\u00edos<\/p>\n<\/td>\n
24-Aug<\/p>\n<\/td>\n
31-Aug<\/p>\n<\/td>\n
07-Sep<\/p>\n<\/td>\n
6 & 6<\/p>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Kevin Gausman<\/p>\n<\/td>\n
25-Aug<\/p>\n<\/td>\n
01-Sep<\/p>\n<\/td>\n
09-Sep<\/p>\n<\/td>\n
6 & 7<\/p>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Max Scherzer<\/p>\n<\/td>\n
26-Aug<\/p>\n<\/td>\n
02-Sep<\/p>\n<\/td>\n
10-Sep<\/p>\n<\/td>\n
6 & 7<\/p>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Chris Bassitt<\/p>\n<\/td>\n
27-Aug<\/p>\n<\/td>\n
03-Sep<\/p>\n<\/td>\n
11-Sep<\/p>\n<\/td>\n
6 & 7<\/p>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
If Bieber returns next week and the Jays move to a six-man rotation, every starter could have six or seven days off between starts. That\u2019s far more rest than big-league starters are accustomed to. Kevin Gausman, Eric Lauer and Jos\u00e9 Berr\u00edos each have just one start on seven days\u2019 rest in the last four years. None of them pitched a quality start after that time off.<\/p>\n
The Jays could avoid the seven-day layoffs by rolling with a six-man rotation for just one turn, ensuring Bieber is back to form. Then, if Bieber proves he\u2019s back, they can bump a starter to the bullpen. Either way, the Jays must pare down the rotation eventually, whether it\u2019s this week or in October.<\/p>\n
\u201cIf there gets to a point where you have an uncomfortable conversation with someone,\u201d Schneider said, \u201cthat\u2019s where we\u2019re at.\u201d<\/p>\n
Deadline additions create fluid bullpen roles<\/p>\n
The 2024 Philadelphia Phillies felt they had the best bullpen in baseball, Jeff Hoffman said. Jos\u00e9 Alvarado, Carlos Est\u00e9vez, Matt Strahm, Gregory Soto, Seranthony Dom\u00ednguez and Hoffman each recorded saves, but none ever locked into specific set-up or closing roles. They were an ever-evolving unit.<\/p>\n
That flexibility held benefits, Hoffman said, as the team won 95 games. However, it took a juggling act and constant communication from Phillies manager Rob Thomson. Schneider now faces a similar task with the Jays after the deadline injections of Dom\u00ednguez and Louis Varland. Hoffman remains the team\u2019s closer, with a light show and dramatic entrance, but expect juggling behind him.<\/p>\n
\u201cIn terms of the set-up guy,\u201d Schneider said, \u201cI think it\u2019s going to be a little bit fluid between a few guys, between rest and availability. All these guys are fine with that.\u201d<\/p>\n
To ease the process, Toronto\u2019s coaching staff checks in with the relievers before every game and series. They tell the available pitchers which innings to be ready for and which specific batters or lane of the lineup to prepare against.<\/p>\n
It helps that Toronto\u2019s top leverage options all have distinct strengths. Brendon Little owns a 31.7 percent strikeout rate against lefties. Righties hit .183 against Dom\u00ednguez throughout his career. Need a ground ball? Varland has the 20th-best ground-ball rate among all relievers. Yar\u00edel Rodriguez has gone multiple innings 20 times this season.<\/p>\n
On paper, finding spots to maximize those strengths is easy. However, when the reality of opposing pinch hitters and managing rest enters the equation, it\u2019s never simple. Navigating those fluid roles will be Schneider and staff\u2019s biggest bullpen task down the stretch and into October.<\/p>\n
Deadline buying buoyed by farm system strides<\/p>\n
In some ways, the progress made in Toronto\u2019s minors this year is obvious. After a 2024 season filled with injuries and backward steps, the 2025 success stories are clear in Joey Loperfido, Addison Barger, Mason Fluharty and Braydon Fisher all aiding the Jays. They\u2019re obvious in Trey Yesavage pushing up to Triple A, on the cusp of a big-league debut, and Arjun Nimmala climbing prospect rankings. Quietly, that progress also helped the Jays bolster a first-place roster at the deadline.<\/p>\n
Toronto\u2019s farm still ranks in the bottom half in most public rankings, but was considered good compared to many deadline buyers this year, a rival executive said, buoyed by depth more than many future stars.<\/p>\n
Last year, a lack of upper-minors depth and pitching injuries hampered the Jays\u2019 system. This deadline, after overhauling development priorities<\/a> and finding value in the 2024 draft, the system held strengths. The farm contains many fringe big-league contributors and upside pitchers, a league source said \u2014 the two areas Toronto drew from in trade.<\/p>\n \u201cIt was an extremely competitive year,\u201d general manager Ross Atkins said, \u201cwhere we felt like we could compete in every level of the market.\u201d<\/p>\n