Blue Jays on clock to take a big swing at trade deadline. But how big?

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The Blue Jays’ series finale against the New York Yankees on Wednesday just may have been the final time fans will be able to watch a player or two, currently in a Toronto uniform, for the final time at the Rogers Centre.

It’s no secret the AL East-leading Blue Jays are poised to be buyers when MLB’s trade deadline expires at 6 p.m., next Thursday, an off-day for the club.

A high-leverage arm in the bullpen looms as the team’s biggest need, followed by a right-handed bat and, to a lesser extent, a starter.
Precisely one year ago, the Jays were sellers and parted ways with every impending free agent, while also jettisoning Isiah Kiner-Falefa, who had signed a two-year deal in free agency the previous off-season.

Two players the Jays received from the various trades were Joey Loperfido and Will Wagner, who are both with the big-league club after being acquired from Houston.

Whatever happens and whatever names get bandied about, the trade deadline clock is ticking with the Blue Jays expected to be open for business.

The term ‘all-in’ has been broached, but it remains to be seen what impactful deal the Jays are able to engineer.

It would shock everyone if pending free agents Bo Bichette or Chris Bassitt get moved, but it might also excite many if a blockbuster of significance that helps with all three needs, is completed.

So, we’d expect the currency the Jays use to bolster the lineup could include Loperfido, Wagner, infielder Leo Jimenez or, most likely, a few minor-league prospects.

The Jays entered Wednesday’s play with a 59-42 record. The AL West-leading Astros are 60-42, and the scuffling Detroit Tigers — who play host to the Jays this weekend in a four-game series — still lead the AL Central with a 60-43 record.

The Yankees need starting pitching following season-ending injuries to Gerrit Cole and Clarke Schmidt, who was hurt when the Bronx Bombers first visited Toronto some three weeks ago.

The Yankees are said to be in the market for a third baseman with the team linked to Arizona’s Eugenio Suarez. His former team, the Seattle Mariners, are also believed to be interested in a reunion for the all-star, as are the Milwaukee Brewers.

As recently as last week, some in baseball even had the Blue Jays rumoured to be interested in Suarez.

No one is saying when, or even if, Anthony Santander will rejoin the club, as his shoulder issue continues to prevent the switch-hitting slugger from swinging a bat.

At least Daulton Varsho continues to make his way back from a hamstring injury. His rehab will take him to Buffalo with a potential return to the big-league club possible by as early as next week when the Jays visit Baltimore.

It’s safe to say that, barring any setbacks, Varsho will be back in centre field at the Rogers Centre when the Jays return home on Aug. 1 to play host to Kansas City in a three-game series before heading out west for six games.

The Jays haven’t made a consequential trade-deadline deal in four years, when they acquired right-hander Jose Berrios from Minnesota in exchange for Austin Martin and Simeon Woods Richardson, a move viewed from the lens of a franchise poised to enter its competitive window.

Fast forward to the present, and the Jays have transitioned from competitive to contender.

This next week should help dictate just how serious a contender this team is.