Blue Jays fan favorite considered early trade deadline candidate due to Toronto’s struggles originally appeared on The Sporting News. Add The Sporting News as a Preferred Source by clicking here.
There's likely going to be a lot of talent available at Major League Baseball's trade deadline, as teams like the Toronto Blue Jays and the New York Mets have been two of the worst in baseball, and that doesn't even bring up teams like the Boston Red Sox and Houston Astros.
Simply put, those four teams right now could benefit from moving on from players if they decide to go in that direction.
The Blue Jays might be the more interesting of the bunch, as they are only 12-15 and just 5.5 games out in the American League East. It isn't like the Blue Jays find themselves in a situation where it isn't salvageable.
Despite that reality, some believe the Blue Jays could make moves, and if they do, left-hander Eric Lauer could be a prime trade candidate.
“The Toronto Blue Jays lefty was demoted from the starting rotation to the bullpen on Saturday. Trey Yesavage is coming off the Injured List for Toronto. With Yesavage coming off the Injured List, Shi Davidi of Sportsnet reported that Lauer is heading to the bullpen. The 30-year-old has a 6.75 ERA in 22 2/3 innings pitched. Not great, but he has a 4.21 ERA. Last year, he had a 3.18 ERA in 28 total outings, including 15 starts, for Toronto.
"If someone is looking for an arm, Lauer is worth a call now that he's heading to the bullpen,” Patrick McAvoy of SI wrote.
Lauer has been a really decent arm throughout his career, proving that by posting a 4.34 career ERA.
He's not going to wow anybody by any means, but he's a steady arm, and there's a reason he's been in the league for nearly a decade at this point.
I doubt he'll get much of a massive package in return, but he can get Toronto something, which will be important in scenarios like this.
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