Blue Jays linked to Reds 14-homer utilityman as best fit at trade deadline

Jul 06, 2026 - 20:35

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Blue Jays linked to Reds 14-homer utilityman as best fit at trade deadline originally appeared on The Sporting News. Add The Sporting News as a Preferred Source by clicking here.

The Toronto Blue Jays are 42-48 in the regular season, and 11.5 games back in the AL East, and 3.0 games back in the AL Wild Card.

While it's not been a good year, they have an actual chance to make the postseason. But, in order to do so, they really need to find a way to upgrade the roster between now and the August 3 MLB trade deadline.

Jim Bowden of The Athletic believes the best fit for Toronto this summer is Cincinnati Reds 14-homer utilityman Spencer Steer. This Reds veteran would make a ton of sense for the Blue Jays, as he could fill multiple needs for this lackluster offense.

Blue Jays 'best fit' at trade deadline is Reds' Spencer Steer

"Best fit: Spencer Steer, OF/IF, Cincinnati Reds," Bowden writes. "Steer can play first, third, and left and is on pace to eclipse 20 homers for the fourth consecutive year. He's only 28 but is arbitration eligible for the first time this offseason, which is why the Reds could move on from him."

With the Blue Jays seeking out some more offensive firepower this season at the trade deadline, Steer, a right-handed hitter who has a .739 OPS this season and a .748 OPS in his career with 80 homers in 2,054 at-bats, would make a lot of sense.

He's 28 years old, and under club control through the 2028 season, which would give the Blue Jays a few years relying on him as a member of their offense.

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Since he has positional versatility, he could slot into the outfield right away, fill in at third base or first base depending on the health of Kazuma Okamoto or Vladimir Guerrero Jr., or even play at second base if the Blue Jays move Ernie Clement to shortstop.

But what Steer could provide to this Blue Jays offense is incredible versatility and some quality power. He has a 4.2% home run rate this season, the best of his career.

The Blue Jays' "best fit" at the trade deadline, according to Bowden, is Steer, the Reds utilityman power-hitter. He'd be a great pickup for Toronto, and would be worth trading for even if the Blue Jays aren't contenders this year.