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By the time MLB’s trade deadline rolls around on Aug. 3, the Blue Jays likely will make a move that is infinitely more consequential than Friday’s transaction involving Tommy Nance.
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Given Nance’s status with the club, at least until Friday, as a low-leverage reliever, it’s guaranteed any deal prior or on baseball’s deadline day will be significantly substantial.
With all due respect the veteran right-hander, his loss isn’t going to move the needle on a Jays club featuring three high-leverage arms in Tyler Rogers, Jeff Hoffman and Louis Varland.
If anything, whenever the Jays and Twins swing a deal, and more than a few have transpired the past few years, the one that got away from Minny was Varland, who is off to the all-star game after emerging as a premier closer.
Another pitcher the Twins gifted the Jays was Jose Berrios, who, sadly, will not pitch this season following an elbow setback.
In dealing Nance, the Jays received catching prospect Ryan Sprock.
As part of the Nance deal, the Jays provided the Twins with international bonus pool space.
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NEWS: The Twins, in the thick of the playoff race and looking to beef up their bullpen, are acquiring RH Tommy Nance from the Blue Jays, sources tell me and @JeffPassan.
— Alden González (@Alden_Gonzalez) July 10, 2026Will the Blue Jays miss Nance?
Nance, 35, appeared in 32 games for the Jays this season, pitching a combined 33.0 innings when he issues 34 walks, while yielding 29 hits.
He recorded 34 strikeouts, while posting a 3.82 ERA.
Earlier in the season, he missed about three weeks following forearm discomfort.
When Nance was reinstated, the Jays DFAed Yariel Rodriguez.
The Jays don’t have many areas of depth, but bullpen arms happen to be one of them, making Nance very expendable.
In his past seven appearances with the Jays, the club lost each game, which is no slight on Nance knowing he is not asked to pitch in leverage.
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Who is Ryan Sprock?
Sprock was selected in the eighth round of the 2025 MLB Draft by the Twins and has impressed during his brief time playing professional baseball.
The 21-year-old is hitting .297 over 67 games in single-A so far this season and, according to Mitch Bannon of the Athletic, led the entire Florida State League with an OPS of .855 before his promotion to high-A last week. Sprock has hit five home runs and posted 38 RBIs.
The Blue Jays open their series with the Padres on Friday with first pitch scheduled for 9:40 p.m. Shane Bieber will start for the Jays while lefty JP Sears toes the rubber for the hosts.
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