Blue Jays Acquire Hard-Throwing Bullpen Arm

The Boston Red Sox are the only team left in the American League East division who have yet to make a trade leading up to the July 31 deadline after the Toronto Blue Jays acquired a high-leverage reliever in a deal with the Baltimore Orioles on Thursday.

According to ESPN’s Jeff Passan, the Blue Jays have acquired right-handed reliever Seranthony Domínguez from the Baltimore Orioles in exchange for minor league pitching prospect Juaron Watts-Brown. Domínguez has a record of 2-3 with a 3.24 ERA and 54 strikeouts over 42. 1/3 innings out of Baltimore’s bullpen this season.

Domínguez is reunited with All-Star closer and former Philadelphia Phillies teammate Jeff Hoffman, who has saved 24 games in 28 opportunities this season. The duo will help solidify a Toronto bullpen that was in desperate need of an additional power arm to feature in late-game situations.

With the Blue Jays and Orioles playing a doubleheader at Camden Yards on Thursday, Domínguez was able to join his new team in-between games and made an appearance, striking out two during a scoreless inning of work.

Before the trade was completed, a report from Ken Rosenthal of The Athletic named the Blue Jays as one of four teams with known interest in acquiring Cleveland Guardians outfielder Steven Kwan. With the Guardians’ top trade chip, Emmanuel Clase, on non-disciplinary leave by MLB pending an investigation into sports betting, Cleveland may view Kwan as the player most likely to net the highest return if they decide to sell before the deadline.