Did Blue Jays do enough at trade deadline? It's in Shane Bieber's right hand now

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There is some rehab work still to be done and a steady climb to top form and productivity to polish the shiny new Blue Jays object of desire.

But in acquiring starting pitcher Shane Bieber from the Cleveland Guardians early on trade deadline day, general manager Ross Atkins made a bold and high-end gamble to strengthen his playoff-bound team.

There are asterisks all around to evaluate the GM’s work at one of the highest-stakes trade deadlines in his time here. But if the big “get” turns out to be what is clearly hoped, the grading of a defensible if not spectacular end of July body of work will skyrocket.

Was the Bieber trade blockbuster material, or was it a depth add to an aging, veteran rotation that may need the help? That remains to be seen. But if you’re seeking upside — and the Jays clearly were and had to be — it’s a move that could be the type that brings significant reward.

The 30-year-old Bieber, who is coming off of Tommy John surgery and is currently working his way back to the big leagues via a rehab assignment, was a clear target for Atkins and the baseball operations staff. When they saw his fastball touch 94 miles per hour in a recent rehab assignment, there was salivation.

“He looked like Shane Bieber, that’s what our scout who was there said,” Atkins reported. “Our looks, as we watched him on video and any information we could gather was that he looks like the Shane Bieber who has dominated before.”

If Bieber reaches the peak form that has earned him one Cy Young Award and two all-star game appearances, he could be the type of arm that is touted as a Game 1 playoff starter.

If he goes the other way (or has an injury setback) then the price to acquire him — promising minor league arm Khal Stephen — is dear.
“The risk is in some ways the exciting aspect of it because of the upside,” Atkins said. “The upside is just so big. What makes it riskier is that he’s not pitching in major league games right now.

“Our work has given us a great deal of confidence that he is someone who can mitigate that to a very high level, based on his work ethic and commitment.”

To his credit, Atkins is rolling the dice on improving his first-place team in a meaningful way to avoid some of the post-season disasters that have unfolded in his recent tenure. As his deadline work is scrutinized, however, the inability to add another high-leverage, shut-down reliever will be a discussion point as the 64-46 Jays get down to work for the remaining 52 games of the season.

The Jays did make a buzzer beater swap with the Twins bringing in reliever Louis Varland and first baseman Ty France while sending outfielder Alan Roden and lefty pitcher Kendrys Rojas the other way to Minnesota.

And once play resumes on Friday at the Rogers Centre, the evaluation will begin.

Did the Jays do enough to fend off other teams who may have improved more significantly?
The Yankees, for example, were aggressive.

Can the group that got the team this far continue to punch above their spring training weight, building off the confidence of unsung heroes contributing on offence?

Can Daulton Varsho and/or Anthony Santander have an impact down the stretch?

The biggest void, clearly, is at the back end of the bullpen, even with the acquisition earlier in the week of Seranthony Dominguez from the Orioles.

One by one the biggest reliever names came off the board. Jhoan Duran, the Twins closer, went to the Phillies to make up in part for the inability of former Jays righty Jordan Romano to handle the gig.

Ryan Helsley went from the Cardinals to the Mets.

David Bednar was dealt from the Pirates to the Yankees, making that transaction one that could affect the Jays the most. Bednar was one of the most sought-after lights-out type relievers and the Yankees landing him could have consequences.

Without a significant add in that area, the Jays will have to hope for Jeff Hoffman to be at his best, Yimi Garcia to return to health and Dominguez to be a helpful addition. None of those possibilities are out of the question, but it certainly seemed clear that the team was looking for more impact arms that play well in the post-season.

And now, an exciting team that has electrified a fan base that is filling the Rogers Centre on a nightly basis and is lighting up ratings on Sportsnet has certainly positioned itself to be of interest.

“We’re obviously fired up to be in the position that we’re acquiring talent and really excited for the organization, the fans, the players, the staff that have earned this opportunity,” Atkins said.

As for the Bieber deal, it didn’t come cheap. Well-regarded prospect Stephen has impressed Jays talent developers with his skimpy 2.08 ERA over 91.2 innings of work in the minors.

Bieber, who will be at the Rogers Centre on Friday as the team figures the next step in his rehab, has yet to pitch in the big leagues this season after having Tommy John in 2024. But through four appearances so far, Bieber has struck out 21 in 11.1 innings of work and has a tidy 1.59 ERA. His most recent action was on Tuesday in Akron, home of the Guardians double-A affiliate.

“Obviously the guy has been elite, and has performed very well and on really big stages, has been the best pitcher in the game at certain points,” Atkins said. “That was important to us on just raising our potential, raising our bar.”

And taking a season beyond the first week of October, Bieber style.