Blue Jays predicted to swing blockbuster trade for Diamondbacks' $13.5M All-Star
Thanks to Monday night's 4-1 win, the Blue Jays have now built a four-game lead over the New York Yankees in the American League East. But they know the Yankees, last year's World Series runners-up, will be gunning for deadline improvements.
For Toronto, one more starting pitcher could be the key to usurping the Yankees' division title. And the market for rentals seems to be heating up.
Zac Gallen of the Arizona Diamondbacks is an intriguing fit, because he's a proven All-Star pitcher having a dismal season. But the talent is still there, and perhaps a new team could help turn his year around.
On Monday, Steve Perrault of Underdog Fantasy predicted that the Blue Jays would land Gallen at the deadline during a live stream for Bleacher Report.
"We've got Zac Gallen going to the Blue Jays," Perrault said. "I can already see him wearing a Jays jersey. I can just picture it. In big games, important games, I can see Zac Gallen in Toronto dealing.
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"If you put Zac Gallen in there, ... this is a really good rotation, especially in the American League. You can put this up against other rotations in the AL. Would not be super worried if you're a Blue Jays fan."
Gallen's ERA climbed to 5.58 in a loss to the Houston Astros on Monday night, the worst among all qualified starters. He also allowed two more home runs, bringing his National League-leading total to 23.
It would be a leap of faith for the Blue Jays to trust Gallen to pitch like his 2023-2024 self the rest of the way. But because their rotation is one good arm away from being elite, that leap of faith might come with a huge payout.
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