ESPN’s David Schoenfield tabs this Royals starter as clear upgrade for the Blue Jays

The Toronto Blue Jays need to be watched very closely between now and the 2026 MLB Trade Deadline. With the Blue Jays needing to move up the standings to get into the playoffs this fall, they should be looking to add to their roster.

Blue Jays general manager Ross Atkins was recently transparent about the team’s trade deadline strategy, noting that their biggest goal is to add to their pitching staff. It is clear that the Blue Jays could use help with both their starting rotation and their bullpen. Due to this, in a recent article for ESPN, David Schoenfield urged the Blue Jays to trade for an intriguing starting pitcher from the Kansas City Royals: Michael Wacha.

“Anyway, as the Jays hope Guerrero and George Springer find their 2025 bats, they could use a starter to upgrade on Patrick Corbin or even Shane Bieber (who has struggled since coming off the IL). In a potential match with the Royals, Wacha is the player Toronto should go after,” Schoenfield wrote.

With the Blue Jays’ rotation needing a boost, it would make sense if they made a push for a solid veteran starter like Wacha. He would be a solid pickup for the bottom half of their rotation as they look to get back into a playoff spot.

Furthermore, with the Royals being among the worst teams in baseball this season, there is a real chance that they will trade Wacha by the deadline, and it’s easy to see why the Blue Jays would call the Royals about him.

Wacha would give the Blue Jays a dependable and experienced starting pitcher

The Blue Jays’ rotation could use another reliable starter, and Wacha is just that. In 17 games this season with the Royals, the former All-Star has a 5-5 record, a 3.31 ERA, and 84 strikeouts. He has also had a 3.86 ERA or lower in each of the last five seasons, so he has been consistently dependable for a while now.

Wacha would also give the Blue Jays another veteran pitcher with a lot of experience. This is because he is currently in his 14th MLB season. It also does not hurt that he has had playoff success, as evidenced by him being named NLCS MVP back in 2013.

Another appealing factor about Wacha is his contract. This is because he signed through the 2027 season and also has a club option for the 2028 campaign. With this, he would be more than a rental for Toronto if acquired. With the Blue Jays currently on the wrong side of the playoffs, bringing in a strong pitcher with term like Wacha could intrigue them.