#Rays, Blue Jays plotting trade deadline splashes to push Yankees

Sitting just half a game behind the Yankees for first place, the Rays are “being very aggressive in [trade] conversations” with the Aug. 31 deadline approaching, according to ESPN’s Buster Olney. Before the Subway Series was canceled because of two positive Mets’ coronavirus tests, the Rays had stormed into the Bronx and swept the Yankees.

The Blue Jays, who are 3.5 games back of the injury-plagued Yankees, may also be looking to load up for a run at the defending division champs. According to MLB.com, Toronto is seeking to add depth to its starting rotation — following injuries to Nate Pearson, Matt Shoemaker and Trent Thornton — and have targeted Trevor Williams and Chad Kuhl from the last place Pirates.

Williams is 1-4 this season with a 3.70 ERA. The 28-year-old right-hander has posted a career 4.20 ERA since debuting with Pittsburgh in 2016. Kuhl is 1-1 with a 2.84 ERA, and has a 4.28 career ERA since his 2016 call-up.