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Ross Atkins and the Blue Jays have struggled this season.

The start of the 2026 MLB season has not been the best for the Toronto Blue Jays. At the time of this writing, the Blue Jays are fourth in the American League East with a 12-15 record. They have won five out of their last seven games, though, so they are slowly starting to trend in the right direction.

While this is the case, it is clear that the Blue Jays should be looking to improve their roster. One of their biggest needs is a new impactful closer, as they recently removed Jeff Hoffman from the role. It is understandable that the Blue Jays made a switch for the closer role, as Hoffman has struggled this season. In 12 appearances, he has a 1-2 record and a 7.59 ERA.

With the Blue Jays’ bullpen struggling, it would not be shocking in the slightest if they brought in another reliever to give it a boost. Because of this, the Blue Jays are now being urged to target a notable trade candidate closer during the early stages of the season.

Toronto Blue Jays Urged to Trade for Cardinals’ Closer Riley O’Brien

In a recent article for Sports Illustrated, Patrick McAvoy took a look at three potential trade targets for the Blue Jays who could be good replacements for Hoffman as their closer. Among the names mentioned was St. Louis Cardinals reliever Riley O’Brien.

“O’Brien would be the dream target for the Blue Jays at this moment. He has been the second-best reliever in baseball so far this season, just behind Mason Miller,” McAvoy wrote. “There’s no reason for the Cardinals to make a move right now, but that doesn’t mean Toronto shouldn’t try.”

With the Blue Jays desperately needing a boost, it makes sense that they are being viewed as a potential suitor for O’Brien. The 31-year-old righty would be a major addition to their bullpen and would give them another high-impact reliever to consider for their closer role.

O’Brien is in the middle of a strong 2026 season with the Cardinals, and the truth is in his stats. In 14 appearances so far this campaign with St. Louis, he has a 3-1 record, a 1.26 ERA, seven saves, and 16 strikeouts. This is after he had a 3-1 record, a 2.06 ERA, six saves, and 45 strikeouts in 42 games with the Cardinals this past season, in what was a breakout year.

With numbers like these, the idea of the Blue Jays bringing in O’Brien is certainly an interesting one. On paper, the fit looks excellent.

Cardinals Could Sell High on O’Brien as They Continue Their Rebuild

With the Cardinals being in a rebuild, the possibility of them moving O’Brien this season is certainly there. His trade value is certainly increasing with how well he is pitching this campaign, so it would make sense if the Cardinals decided to sell high on him.

O’Brien should also generate a lot of interest around the league from teams besides the Blue Jays. He is exactly the kind of pitcher that contenders love to bring at the deadline. Thus, Toronto would have competition if they targeted him.