All eyes on GM Ross Atkins as Blue Jays attempt to bolster roster on Thursday's deadline day

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The Major League Baseball trade deadline of Thursday at 6 p.m. ET is shaping up as an arms race.

The Blue Jays will be active with various names already being bandied about, whether it’s a starter or by adding to a bullpen that welcomed pending free agent Seranthony Dominguez from the Baltimore Orioles on Tuesday in between games of a doubleheader.

The righty faced his former team for the second game in a row on Wednesday in Toronto’s 9-8 win, and had two strikeouts in his one inning on the mound.

Toronto’s bullpen, outside of Yariel Rodriguez, gave the Jays 4.1 scoreless innings in a much-needed victory with Brendon Little, Mason Fluharty, Braydon Fisher, Dominguez and Jeff Hoffman combining to record nine strikeouts, while yielding one hit and no runs.

Given the amount of teams in need of bullpen depth, which includes the Blue Jays, the bidding will only intensify in the hours, even minutes, leading up to Thursday’s deadline.

Among the names being linked to the Jays are the likes of Pittsburgh’s David Bednar and Dennis Santana.

It would surprise many if the Jays don’t add one, perhaps even two, bullpen arms.

The Jays are also said to be in the market for a starting pitcher to bolster a staff that is not getting younger.

A leadoff hitter won’t hurt, with some believing Cleveland’s Steven Kwan is high on the Jays’ wish list.

On Wednesday in Baltimore, Joey Loperfido hit leadoff for the Blue Jays. His first-inning single was part of his 3-for-5 day at the plate.

He has been playing well since being called up from triple-A, and he may make a coveted trade piece if it brings back a quality arm.

While the Jays were able to add a much-needed high-leverage reliever during their 4-4 road trip, they also lost Alejandro Kirk, who is expected to return from the seven-day concussion IL Sunday, George Springer, who was hit on the side of the head in the ninth inning of the series opener in Baltimore and did not play in any of the remaining three games, while Ernie Clement (wrist) and Loperfido (thumb) were dealing with issues.

Outfielder Daulton Varsho is expected to return Friday when the Jays open a three-game series against the visiting Kansas City Royals, a key positional players who was last in the lineup on May 31 when he hurt his hamstring.

It’s safe to say the Jays will have a different look by the time Friday rolls around.

What kind of look all depends on how aggressive the front office decides to approach the trade deadline.

The acquisition of Dominguez did indicate the team is all in, knowing the lack of a dominant team in the American League.

The current Blue Jays leadership has been known for being keen on acquiring pitchers with term. Dominguez, however, is a pending free agent.

So far, so good as his value was highlighted in his two appearances against the Orioles.

Whether management is prepared to roll the dice with Hoffman as its closer will be determined Thursday.

Late Wednesday, the Mets reportedly acquired reliever Tyler Rogers from the San Francisco Giants.

In terms of relievers, Bednar seems to be one of the most coveted among the contending teams, with the asking price said to be a top-five prospect.

Bednar’s Pittsburgh teammate Mitch Keller, a starter, also has been mentioned in the trade chatter.

A team to monitor is Cleveland, in light of Emmanuel Clase being placed on non-disciplinary paid leave as part of a Major League Baseball investigation into sports betting.

With their all-star closer unavailable, the Guardians are more likely to be aggressive sellers, hence the trade rumours surrounding Kwan and pitcher Shane Bieber.

Baseball’s trade market, by all accounts, has more buyers than sellers, which only raises the asking price.

Looking down the road and into the post-season, the Jays will be facing some elite left-handed starters, leading many to speculate a right-handed bat is also on Toronto’s to-do list.

The Jays have come this far, but to take that next step reinforcements are required. All the focus, then, will be on Thursday’s trade deadline.

The Jays, who do not play Thursday, return home with a 64-46 record. While the players will be off, it’s up to the team’s front office to be on point and swing for the fences, even if it means overpaying with the clear attention of making this edition of the club better.