The Toronto Blue Jays, on the edge of the MLB playoff picture with a 15-14 record roughly halfway through the season, have made a move to acquire starting pitcher Taijuan Walker in a bid to bolster their rotation.
Toronto made the deal official on Thursday afternoon, announcing that they had acquired the 28-year-old righty in exchange for cash considerations or a player to be named later.
The Mariners, who would’ve seen Walker hit the free-agent market this winter, are outside of the playoff picture at 12-19 and decided to trade him in order to get a potential piece for their future.
On the flip side, the Blue Jays currently would qualify as one of the two teams outside of the top 2 in their respective divisions to qualify, along with the Cleveland Indians. The MLB’s expanded playoffs in 2020 have allowed teams like the Blue Jays which might not have had a shot to compete for a berth to do so.
Walker could help them do so, as the veteran righty has had some good starts for Seattle this year. In 5 appearances, Walker is 2-2 with a 4.00 ERA.
The Jays currently rank 17th in baseball with a 4.66 starters’ ERA, and Walker will give them important quality depth at the position as they look to make the postseason for the first time since 2016.
