The American League is wide open. Yes, the Toronto Blue Jays are 9.5 games out of first place in the American League East, and it doesn’t look like they will catch the New York Yankees, but that doesn’t really matter. Despite being 39-41, the Blue Jays are currently locked into the third and final Wild Card spot. That means, if the season ended today, Toronto would make the playoffs with a .488 winning percentage. However, there are five teams within two games of them, so it’s certainly not the time to rest on their laurels. Instead, the Blue Jays need to push forward, so let’s take a look at three trades they should make at the MLB trade deadline.

RELATED: MLB Insider Joel Sherman names 4 Yankees who could be traded at the deadline

Aroldis Chapman, RP

Jeff Hoffman hasn’t been the answer in the closer role for Toronto, and I’m not sure he recovered from the World Series home run he allowed last year. His early-season struggles relegated the right-hander to a setup role, and Louis Varland has stepped up. He’s already up to 16 saves on the season, and his 0.84 ERA really can’t get much better. However, he also has no prior closing experience before this season.

With the Blue Jays not being able to truly count on Hoffman, more depth and experience is needed. The Boston Red Sox aren’t going anywhere this season, and Chapman could be just what the Blue Jays need to lock down the late innings. With 12.05 strikeouts, 14 saves, and a 2.08 ERA this season, the left-hander hasn’t lost a step.

Robbie Ray, SP

It’s clear that Toronto can’t rely on Max Scherzer, so by that thought process, do they want to rely on Patrick Corbin and the health of Shane Bieber?

Instead, the Blue Jays should look to San Francisco for Ray. The left-hander is having another strong season with six wins in 15 starts and a 3.70 ERA. However, he’s also an impending free agent, and the Giants are looking to maximize their assets.

Ray is a former Blue Jay who excelled when pitching in Toronto, winning the 2021 Cy Young award.

Luis Arraez, 2B

Arraez doesn’t overwhelm with speed or power, but the man can hit. He can also play both first and second base, and he’s on the trade market with an expected return that shouldn’t be too prohibitive.

He can get Vladimir Guerrero off his feet and into the DH role while also allowing Ernie Clement to shift across the field in more of a super utility role. Why wouldn’t anyone want a player who is currently hitting .321 with 40 runs scored?

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Going into the trade deadline this August, the Boston Red Sox’s front office has big decisions to make: buy, sell, or balance. The deadline comes at a pivotal point in the 2026 season. Red Sox Chief of Baseball Operations Craig Breslow approaches the job analytically, focusing on front office restructuring and a pitching-centric roster.

Some teams tend to rely on their playoff odds to determine what to do at the deadline. If their odds are below 20%, they should sell; if above 60%, they should be buyers at the deadline. Anywhere in between indicates they should balance. According to Bleacher Report, Boston’s playoff odds currently sit at 12.5%. Their playoff odds, roster construction, and long‑term goals all point toward a deadline defined by rebalancing rather than buying or selling outright.

Solving Boston’s WAR Problem

Boston currently sits at 5.5 games behind the final Wild Card Spot in the American League. They need a +2 to +3 WAR between now and the deadline. But the lineup needs a right‑handed bat who can lengthen the order. That’s where Jeremy Peña becomes one of the most logical fits on the market. Peña is exactly the type of player Boston lacks: a right‑handed hitter with postseason pedigree and defensive stability.

Peña has been “one of the Astros’ most consistent performers” and highlights how his profile remains valuable even in a down year because he “plays premium defense and doesn’t strike out much.” Yahoo Sports noted. Those traits matter for a Red Sox team that has struggled with swing‑and‑miss and infield inconsistency.

Peña also fits Boston’s timeline. He’s still under team control and offers upside without requiring the kind of prospect haul a superstar would command. Peña gives Boston a right‑handed bat, elite shortstop defense, postseason experience, and multiple years of control; all qualities the Red Sox front office has prioritized. If they want to upgrade the lineup without sacrificing the future, he’s one of the cleanest fits on the market.

Aroldis Chapman’s Deadline Value

Another name who could factor into Boston’s deadline calculus is Aroldis Chapman. Multiple outlets, including MLB.com and SI.com, have identified Chapman as one of the Red Sox’s most movable veterans. Given the team’s need for a more stable rotation, flipping Chapman for a controllable starter is a realistic path.

A mid‑rotation starter like Freddy Peralta would stabilize the rotation, and Craig Breslow could revisit his interest in Minnesota Twins ace Joe Ryan after reportedly checking in on him last season. Boston could use Chapman as part of a package to acquire a mid‑rotation arm, especially from clubs looking to bolster their bullpen for a postseason push.

Most Likely Trade Chips

The Red Sox have a surplus of outfielders with Jarren Duran, Ceddanne Rafaela, Wilyer Abreu, Masataka Yoshida, and Roman Anthony. Boston is a team that could quietly become one of the more influential sellers at the deadline because of this exact imbalance, as Bleacher Report stated.

They have multiple outfielders who are either established big‑league contributors or close to it, and several of them overlap in role, handedness, or defensive profile. So, the Red Sox can move an outfielder without weakening the lineup while simultaneously addressing needs elsewhere.

Jarren Duran

Duran’s athleticism, speed, and remaining control make him one of Boston’s most valuable movable pieces. SI.com and Yahoo Sports have noted that he has drawn interest in previous trade cycles and remains a name rival executives monitor.

Masataka Yoshida

Yoshida’s contract complicates his market, but his bat‑to‑ball skills and DH versatility could appeal to teams needing left‑handed offense. Bleacher Report identifies him as a player Boston would consider moving if the financial structure aligns, especially for clubs seeking contact‑oriented hitters.

Wilyer Abreu / Ceddanne Rafaela / Roman Anthony

These three are viewed internally as long‑term core pieces, per Yahoo Sports and The Athletic. Their defensive versatility, age, and remaining control make them foundational to Boston’s future. They are unlikely to move unless the Red Sox receive a substantial return.

Moving Forward

The Red Sox don’t need a teardown, but they also can’t stand still. Breslow has made it clear in his comments to ESPN, The Athletic, and Yahoo Sports that the organization is focused on sustainable improvement rather than short‑term splashes or emotional decisions.

That philosophy shapes everything about this deadline. Boston’s outfield surplus gives them the flexibility to pursue upgrades without touching their top prospects. Their bullpen depth, including the possibility of moving Chapman, provides another avenue to add rotation help. And their need for a right‑handed bat or long‑term infield stability makes players like Peña natural fits.

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