The Toronto Blue Jays saw one of their potential targets get taken off the board after he signed an extension with the Kansas City Royals.

Explore the Blue Jays’ ideal Joe Ryan trade offer, with top prospects, and see how this blockbuster shifts AL playoff dynamics.

Over time, general managers build reputations, developing specific niches for which they’re known. Seattle’s Jerry Dipoto has his constant stream of trades. For San Diego’s A.J. Preller, it’s star splashes. Atlanta’s Alex Anthopoulos locks up young players to long-term deals.

Despite Skubal tossing six scoreless innings, the Blue Jays got to the Tigers’ bullpen, scoring six runs in the final two innings, including a four-run ninth that featured three home runs by the visitors, leading to another 6-1 defeat.

But now the Orioles go from facing the team with the worst record in the majors to facing the team with the best. What's more, despite the wins over the Rockies, the Orioles are 4-6 since the All-Star break and enter Monday trailing the Blue Jays by 15 1/2 games in the American League East.

The Toronto Blue Jays have the best record in baseball. It's the latest in the season that has happened since 1992. And while there are a number of explanations, the simplest is this: These guys can really, really hit. Like, every single dude on the roster rakes.

The Blue Jays landed Loperfido in the Yusei Kikuchi trade with the Houston Astros last July, so it would be an odd full-circle moment for the youngster to be dealt for a second year in a row, as Toronto has flipped from sellers to buyers in a year's time.