The Blue Jays moved on from both starting pitcher Marcus Stroman (Mets) and utility infielder Eric Sogard (Rays) on Sunday, but Toronto hasn’t quite finished moving pieces that could help potential postseason teams.
With Stroman gone, the next big piece for the Jays to move by the July 31 deadline is closer Ken Giles. Made famous by his implosion in May of last season, Giles has turned things around with Toronto this year. He’s 14-for-15 in save opportunities, posting a 1.54 ERA, 1.05 WHIP and a 14.9 K/9 in his 35 appearances.
According to Ken Rosenthal of The Athletic, the Red Sox are still in on Ken Giles — as the other contenders across the league. Boston has been interested in the right-handed closer since at least July 21, according to Jon Morosi of MLB Network.
The Red Sox have also reportedly shown interest in Padres closer Kirby Yates. Mets closer Edwin Diaz has been linked to Boston, too.
Sensing a theme? Maybe, just maybe, teams do, in fact, need one person designated to finish things out in the ninth inning. Or maybe the Red Sox will turn him into a sixth inning, day-game specialist because a calculator told them it makes more sense.