Blue Jays acquire Robbie Ray from Diamondbacks, per report

The Toronto Blue Jays have traded for another starting pitcher, this time acquiring starting pitcher Robbie Ray from the Arizona Diamondbacks, according to Rob Longley of the Toronto Sun.

In addition to Ray, the Diamondbacks are sending cash considerations to Toronto. In return for this package, the Jays will send left-handed reliever Travis Bergen to the Diamondbacks.

Ray has struggled during 2020—and in past years—but the Blue Jays hope they can fix him as they pursue a spot in the expanded postseason. So far this year, he’s 1-4 in seven starts with a 7.84 ERA. He’s allowed 27 runs on 31 hits in 31 innings, allowing 31 walks and 43 strikeouts. Ray has impressive strikeout stuff, posting a 12.48 K/9 rate, but his 9.00 BB/9 clip is a major concern. He also has a -0.4 fWAR so far this year after posting 2.4 fWAR in 2019.

There is optimism that Ray, an impending free agent, can be fixed, but can the Blue Jays do that in less than 30 days? It’s unlikely, but the main thing to consider here is that it’s a low-risk, high-reward trade that could have an immense impact on the Blue Jays’ pursuit of stealing the No. 2 spot in the AL East from the Yankees.

Heading the other way in the trade is southpaw Travis Bergen. The 25-year-old is a former seventh-round pick who, in 21.1 big league innings (22 relief appearances), has allowed 12 runs on 19 hits while striking out 21 batters and walking 10.

The Blue Jays have already added Daniel Vogelbach, Taijuan Walker, and Ray this week and might not be done. They’re expected to be aggressive ahead of today’s 4:00 p.m. trade deadline as they look to make a deep postseason run this fall.