The Toronto Blue Jays have emerged as one of several teams expressing interest in acquiring right-handed pitcher Mitch Keller from the Pittsburgh Pirates, according to Noah Hiles of the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette. Alongside the New York Mets, Yankees, and Cubs, Toronto is now part of a growing list of suitors for the 29-year-old pitcher, who remains under contract through the 2028 season.

The Blue Jays’ pursuit of Keller fits strategically with their current pitching needs, especially as key starters like Chris Bassitt and Max Scherzer approach free agency at the close of this season, opening spots in Toronto’s rotation. Kevin Gausman and Jose Berrios also have contracts that will end or include opt-out clauses by the 2026-27 offseasons, making Keller an attractive, controllable option for the near future.

Pitching Challenges Face Blue Jays’ Prospects

Toronto’s interest in adding Keller is heightened by the recent history of injuries among their pitching prospects. Several young pitchers, including left-handers Ricky Tiedemann and Brandon Barriera, and right-handers Jake Bloss, Landen Maroudis, and T.J. Brock, have undergone UCL surgery in the last 15 months. Additionally, Adam Macko has struggled since returning from knee surgery, and Alek Manoah, a former American League Cy Young finalist, continues to recover from his own UCL procedure. Bowden Francis has also missed significant time due to a shoulder injury, hampering the club’s depth.

While the Blue Jays maintain some promising arms, including top 2024 draft picks Trey Yesavage and Khal Stephen showing progress in their rookie professional seasons, and other developing players like Gage Stanifer and Kendry Rojas, overall, the pitching staff has been impaired by these setbacks.

Keller’s Contract and Performance Make Him an Appealing Option

Keller is currently earning $15 million this season, a figure comparable to what the Blue Jays paid for veteran Max Scherzer’s one-year contract. His subsequent salary commitments through 2026 to 2028 total $54.5 million, meaning the Pirates owe him nearly $60 million for the remainder of his contract under club control. With Toronto’s projected payroll next year at $184 million, which is roughly $70 million less than this season, Keller’s contract is seen as manageable for a pitcher of his caliber.

Though not an ace, Keller—a former second-round draft pick and highly touted prospect—has developed into a reliable mid-rotation starter. His current season is his best to date, showing a 3.48 earned run average over 20 starts and 119 innings. While his strikeout rate is lower than previous years, his control has improved significantly, reflected in a career-best walk rate of 5.5%. Some concerns include a slight decline in average fastball velocity and increased hard contact from hitters, but Keller’s performance remains solid overall.

Keller’s Potential Impact for the Blue Jays

Even allowing for potential regression, acquiring Keller would represent good value for Toronto, given his steady presence and affordability during a time when multiple rotation members may leave via free agency by the end of 2026. Adding Keller could stabilize the Blue Jays’ pitching staff immediately and serve as forward-thinking roster management.

Toronto also possesses several promising near-MLB position player prospects, such as Alan Roden, Josh Kasevich, RJ Schreck, Jonatan Clase, and Will Wagner, who could be attractive pieces in negotiations with Pittsburgh. While not all are likely to headline a trade, these prospects add flexibility to a potential deal with the Pirates, who currently lack top young hitters.

Trade Outlook as Deadline Approaches

The interest in Mitch Keller highlights the growing urgency among contending teams to reinforce their pitching staffs ahead of the trade deadline. For the Blue Jays, acquiring Keller could serve both their competitive needs this season and their longer-term rotation stability, addressing ongoing challenges with injuries and contract expirations. The Pirates, in return, might look to leverage this demand to acquire valuable position prospects and bolster their rebuilding effort.