Blue Jays trade deadline target: Reid Detmers

If the Toronto Blue Jays trade for a controllable arm, Reid Detmers could be the best pitcher available.

In ESPN’s latest top 50 trade candidates article, the Los Angeles Angels’ left-handed reliever ranked 27th, with a 15% chance of being traded. Of course, it’s no surprise that the Blue Jays were listed as a fit, as they desperately need pitchers, even though they traded for Seranthony Domínguez on Tuesday.

It seems unlikely that the 26-year-old left-handed pitcher will be traded, and if he is, it’ll take a significant haul.  Is Detmers worth it? Let’s find out!

Scouting profile

Standing at 6’2”, 210 lbs, Detmers was drafted 10th overall in the 2020 draft and is one of numerous first-rounders the Angels have called up shortly after being drafted. The left-handed pitcher began his big league career in 2021, making five starts where he had a 7.40 ERA and 6.36 FIP.

In 2022, his first full season in the big leagues, Detmers had a 3.77 ERA and 3.79 FIP in 129 innings pitched, with a 22.6 K% and an 8.5 BB%, his best season as a starter. Detmers didn’t have a great season in 2023, authoring a 4.48 ERA and 4.13 FIP in 148.2 innings. He had an even worse 2024 season, finishing with a 6.70 ERA and 4.72 FIP in 17 starts, throwing 87.1 innings.

Beginning in 2025, Detmers transitioned to the bullpen and has found success as a reliever. Through 44 games, the 26-year-old lefty has a 3.99 ERA and 3.03 FIP in 47.2 innings pitched. Detmers also has a career-high K% so far this season, as he’s struck out 29.5% of the batters he’s faced while posting a 9.5 BB%.

Since moving to the bullpen, Detmers’ fastball velocity has ticked up, as he averages 95.6 mph on the four-seam fastball this season. He pairs that with a nasty slider and curveball. According to his Baseball Savant profile, the lefty is in the 91st percentile for whiff% % and the 88th percentile for chase%.

Contract situation

On top of good results since joining the Angels’ bullpen, the reason Detmers is so appealing is because of his contract situation.

The 2025 season was Detmers’ first of arbitration, earning a one-year deal worth $1.825 million. He has three more seasons of arbitration before becoming a free agent after the 2028 season. That said, his contract situation plays into why he’ll cost so much at the trade deadline if a team wishes to trade for him

How does Reid Detmers help the Blue Jays?

One notable quote in the ESPN article is that some teams still view him as a starter. While he’s found success in the Angels’ bullpen, Detmers came up as a starter and could return there in the future. Regarding the Blue Jays, that could be a long-term option if they were to trade for Detmers.

In the short term, the Jays get a swingman reliever, something which they are evidently looking for before Thursday’s trade deadline. Trading for Detmers also gives the Blue Jays a second left-handed pitcher in the bullpen, which could help alleviate innings for Brendon Little.

Acquiring Detmers would take a haul, but there’s a lot to like about the 26-year-old.