Toronto Blue Jays Stun MLB with Blockbuster Trade: How the New Star Power Shifts the 2025 Playoff Race

Toronto, ON — The Toronto Blue Jays’ bats erupted in Denver on Monday night, shredding the Colorado Rockies 15-3 behind Bo Bichette’s two-homer showcase and a season-high 25 hits that evoked memories of his father Dante’s slugging prime at Coors Field. Surging offense after the deadline The blowout marked Toronto’s third win in four games since front office boss Ross Atkins bolstered the roster at last week’s trade deadline, headlined by the acquisition of 2020 AL Cy Young winner Shane Bieber from Cleveland and right-hander Louis Varland plus first baseman Ty France in separate swaps. Bieber is slated to debut Saturday against the Dodgers, giving manager John Schneider a legitimate 1-2 punch with Kevin Gausman atop the rotation. Bichette back to MVP form Bichette’s two no-doubt shots—both to left center—pushed him to 27 homers and 79 RBI, quieting questions about the shortstop’s consistency after a sluggish June. “I’ve been chasing results; tonight I chased good swings instead,” Bichette said post-game. He’s now batting .319 since the All-Star break. Roster churn continues In a corresponding move to clear a 40-man spot, Toronto released veteran reliever Chad Green, ending an injury-plagued stint that saw the former Yankee log only 19 big-league innings in 2025. The bullpen picture remains fluid; hard-throwing rookie Brandon Barriera was recalled and could be auditioned in high-leverage spots while Jordan Romano nurses back spasms. Springer nearing return All-Star right fielder George Springer (concussion) cleared the final stage of MLB’s protocol Monday and is expected to begin a brief Triple-A rehab assignment later this week, per team sources. Toronto’s offense has averaged just 3.9 runs without him; lineup length becomes a weapon once he slots back into the leadoff role. Wild Card logjam tightening With the victory, the Jays (60-48) remain two games behind the Yankees for the AL East lead and cling to the second Wild Card, narrowly ahead of the Astros and Twins. The upcoming seven-game homestand against the Dodgers and division-rival Rays will determine whether Atkins’ deadline gamble pays off. Key numbers • 25 hits: most by any MLB club this season • 11 players with at least one RBI Monday • 3.21: Blue Jays rotation ERA since July 1 (second in AL) • +700: updated World Series odds for Toronto at major sportsbooks, fifth-best overall What’s next José Berríos faces Rockies rookie Ty Blach in Wednesday’s matinee as Toronto aims for its first road sweep at Coors Field since 2019. Bieber’s debut looms large, but if Bichette’s swing stays locked in, the newest Blue Jay might simply need to keep the ball in the yard to keep momentum rolling toward October.