Former All-Star Emerging as Logical Trade Target for Blue Jays

Originally posted on Athlon Sports | By Matt Graves | Last updated Jul 9, 2025 12:38 PM ET

The Toronto Blue Jays could be looking at more than just short-term fixes ahead of the trade deadline.

On Blair and Barker on Sportsnet 590 The Fan, ESPN's Jeff Passan discussed Toronto's potential approach and pointed to a pitcher that could fit both now and into the future: Mitch Keller.

The Pitssburgh Pirates right-handed has posted strong results again this season and is under contract through 2028. That makes him one of the more appealing arms on the market if Pittsburgh chooses to move him.

Passan noted Keller's stuff and performance make him a logical fit. This season, Keller is 3-10 with a 3.64 ERA, 84 strikeouts and a strong 1.19 WHIP over 106 1/3 innings spanning 18 starts. Keller peaked in 2023, earning his All-Star selection.

That's significant timing for the Blue Jays as their rotation likely to undergo a change in the future. Max Scherzer and Chris Bassitt are pending free agents, while Kevin Gausman will be entering the final year of his deal in 2026.

Acquiring Keller would Toronto a controllable starter who could stablilize a group beyond this year. The possible shakeup is likened the idea to the Jose Berrios trade in 2021, a move that helps them immediately and over the long term.

When co-host Jeff Blair brought up the possibility of adding David Bednar in a larger package, Passan agreed.

“You could see [Mitch Keller] starting a postseason game… If they were to get Keller and [David] Bednar, it would start with [Arjun] Nimmala.”

“You could see [Mitch Keller] starting a postseason game… If they were to get Keller and [David] Bednar, it would start with [Arjun] Nimmala.”@JeffPassan on why the #Pirates pitcher is a perfect fit in Toronto and what he would cost in a trade with @SNJeffBlair & Kevin Barker. pic.twitter.com/KjkguE24H5
— Sportsnet 590 The FAN (@FAN590) July 8, 2025

That type of package would represent a significant swing by the Blue Jays, both prsopect capital and competitive intent. However, for a team teetering on the edge of contention with looming rotation questions, a move like this could help solidify the present and the future.

This article first appeared on Athlon Sports and was syndicated with permission.

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