Blue Jays trade rumors: Toronto looking to add rotation help

The Blue Jays are working to add a starter before Monday’s trade deadline and are canvassing the market looking at “all reliable options,” according to an industry source. Among the options the Jays are considering are Phillies starter Jeremy Hellickson, Athletics starter Rich Hill and the Rays quartet of Chris Archer, Jake Odorizzi, Matt Moore and Drew Smyly.

Toronto also had a scout for Rockies left-hander Jorge De La Rosa’s last start in Baltimore, according to an industry source.

It’s not clear who the Jays are considering a top priority at this point, though the club talked with the Padres about Andrew Cashner before San Diego dealt him to the Marlins. Toronto discussed Cashner with the Padres last season as well, a source said, but ended talks when the Padres tried to get them to include Aaron Sanchez and/or Marcus Stroman.

The Blue Jays are also looking at relief help, even after a small change-of-scenery trade with the Mariners in which they obtained Joaquin Benoit for Drew Storen. If the price for starting pitching is too high, the Jays could theoretically go after solid relief options and look to use Drew Hutchison as a rotation option.

Toronto’s search for a starter will likely be intensified due to a restriction on Sanchez’s innings, though the Jays could balk at the extremely high price currently being placed on available starters. The Jays have already made one significant move this week, acquiring Melvin Upton Jr. from the Padres.