3 starters the Blue Jays should consider trading for at the 2025 deadline

Grant Holmes (RHP) – Atlanta Braves

This one may seem unusual, but it could turn into something significant. The 2025 season has been one to forget for the Braves, and it’s clear they need to develop a plan to retool for next year. With a strong rotation in place, it would be surprising to see them move off a piece like Spencer Strider or Spencer Schwellenbach. However, Grant Holmes could be a more realistic trade candidate.

Although he doesn’t have the same major league experience as Heaney, that’s largely because he spent considerable time pitching at the triple-A level for the Dodgers and Athletics organizations. When he joined Atlanta, he was initially used as a reliever in triple-A and had made only around 10 starts since 2019.

Since being called up by the Braves, Holmes has been a bright spot in an otherwise disappointing season. In 20 outings this year (19 starts), he’s posted a 3.77 ERA and leads the team with 118 strikeouts across 105 innings pitched. There’s a reason he was selected 22nd overall in the 2014 draft by the Dodgers — it just took him a bit longer to break through and earn his place.

One complication with trading Holmes is that he’s under team control until 2031, with arbitration not beginning until 2028. With that much control, it may seem unwise for Atlanta to move him after just one bad team season — unless they can use his value to address a position of weakness. Right now, Atlanta’s biggest holes are in left field and at shortstop.

Given the Blue Jays’ depth of outfielders in the system — including Joey Loperfido (recently recalled), Alan Roden, and Jonatan Clase — it could make sense for a team like Atlanta to ask for one of those names if Holmes is made available. If we know anything about Alex Anthopoulos, it’s that he’s not afraid to make a trade — even with his former team.

Zac Gallen (RHP) – Arizona Diamondbacks 

With the Diamondbacks reportedly listening on some of their key players ahead of the deadline, Gallen’s name has come up more frequently, along with other names like Josh Naylor, Eugenio Suárez, and Merrill Kelly. Gallen is having a tough year, posting a 5.40 ERA in 20 starts while carrying the worst WHIP of his career at 1.374.

Despite the down year, Gallen was an All-Star as recently as 2023, and the Diamondbacks could use that track record to boost his trade value. The Blue Jays have shown they’re willing to be aggressive if the deal improves the team, and Gallen could be an intriguing fit.

So far in July, Gallen has looked more like his former self, posting a 3.50 ERA across 18 innings while striking out 22 batters. If he gets the chance to work with pitching coach Pete Walker, he could return to his pre-2025 form. Walker worked with Gallen’s former teammate Robbie Ray, helping him win a Cy Young in 2021.

The potential to rebuild his value under Walker’s guidance could also incentivize him to re-sign with Toronto in the offseason, helping to solidify the rotation for years to come.