With just two days left before the MLB trade deadline, the Toronto Blue Jays made a significant addition to their relief staff. The team acquired right-handed pitcher Seranthony Dominguez from the Baltimore Orioles in a deal that sent young hurler Juaron Watts-Brown the other way. The transaction took place between games of Tuesday’s doubleheader, adding a sense of urgency to Toronto’s late-July strategy.

Dominguez, who features a blazing fastball and postseason experience, is expected to play a key role in late-game situations for Toronto. While his performance this season has seen some fluctuation, his potential to lock down crucial innings remains intact. Meanwhile, the Orioles continue to prioritize long-term growth, adding another promising arm in Watts-Brown to their deep stable of developing talent—who happens to be the target of the New York Yankees. 

MLB insider Keegan Matheson remarked on Tuesday, “The Domínguez acquisition is an excellent start for the Blue Jays, who are already one of baseball’s highest-strikeout bullpens.” But in a striking update, he also added, “As @Feinsand reported, they’re also involved with St. Louis closer Ryan Helsley and want to make another high-end addition to this group.” With just over two days remaining before the MLB trade deadline, St. Louis Cardinals fireballer Ryan Helsley, the team’s most valuable trade chip, is attracting widespread attention from contenders seeking bullpen reinforcements.

The interesting twist of the story is that the Yankees have their eyes locked on Helsley, hoping to land a big relief arm amid the injury crises befallen their captain, Aaron Judge. What’s more interesting is that competition is solid with a dozen teams interested in Helsley, including Mets, Phillies, Rangers, and now joining the queue, Blue Jays. If you have any plans for the coming Thursday, cancel them, coz this trade deadline appears to portray a rollercoaster ride.

Besides Matheson, insider Jim Bowden also reported that the player’s value in the trade market is going up quickly. Helsley, now in his seventh year with the Cardinals, continues to deliver as one of the most reliable late-inning arms in baseball. So far this season, the veteran right-hander owns a 3.00 ERA across 36 innings of work, notching 21 saves and racking up 41 strikeouts. His consistency has translated to a 139 ERA+. With these stats, he is showcasing just how effective he has been in high-pressure situations. At 31, Helsley remains a trusted presence at the back end of the Cardinals’ relief corps.

His strong 2025 campaign comes on the heels of an exceptional 2024 season. It was arguably the best year of his career. That year, he led all of Major League Baseball with 49 saves and posted an impressive 2.04 ERA over 66.1 innings. He also struck out 79 batters and earned his second career All-Star selection. Helsley’s dominance did not go unnoticed. He finished in the top ten of National League Cy Young voting. It was a rare feat for a reliever, further cementing his value both to the Cardinals and as a top trade target for contending teams.

Blue Jays’ surprising trade two days before the trade deadline

The Blue Jays team surprised a heck out of everyone after making the Dominguez deal. According to an industry source who spoke with Sportsnet, the Orioles received pitching prospect Watts-Brown in return. To address a bullpen that has struggled with inconsistency throughout the season, the Blue Jays made their first significant move.

The Orioles acquired the 30-year-old right-hander from the Phillies last season, and he has since bounced back from an inconsistent 2024 campaign. He’s made significant strides in limiting the long ball, lowering his home runs allowed per nine innings from 2.4 last year to just 0.9 this season. His overall numbers reflect that improvement, as he has posted a 3.24 ERA and a 3.47 FIP while striking out 54 batters across 41 2/3 innings. With this resurgence in form, Domínguez now looks poised to become a critical piece in the Blue Jays’ squad.

Dominguez remains one of the premier power arms in Major League Baseball. He is consistently lighting up the radar gun with a fastball that averages 97.8 mph. The elite player’s high velocity and ability to generate swings and misses make him a formidable late-inning option. Dominguez’s impressive fastball, combined with a sharp-breaking slider, gives him a dominant two-pitch mix.