The Blue Jays are treading water in the deepest part of the major-league baseball ocean.

Sure, they are ensconced in first place and buoyed by club history in terms of their chances of making it to the post-season, given the fact they have led by five or more games already this season.

But there is much work still to be done by Jays GM Alex Anthopoulos if his team is to play late into October for the first time since 1993. More specifically, the Jays need to acquire a No. 2-3 starting pitcher, plus a starting second baseman.

It says here the priority would be on the starting infielder.

The Jays have been relying on the co-operation and athletic excellence of Brett Lawrie thus far in terms of shuttling his talents between third base and second. That flexibility has saved them. When they first promoted Juan Francisco and he got hot with the bat, they found out he could play passable defensive at third base, which encouraged them to Lawrie back and forth against lefties and righties.

But if the Jays are to challenge for the entire season, and with Francisco’s steady decline in offensive contributions, they are going to need to find a second baseman that can play every day, preferably an experienced one.

With Francisco filling in for the hobbled Adam Lind at DH, they are going with a platoon of Munenori Kawasaki and Steve Tolleson at second. That leaves Lawrie at his best position, but the problem won’t be solved until they find a full-time upgrade at second, with Francisco coming in off the bench.

Through Tuesday night, Lawrie had made 25 starts at second, which was never supposed to happen, especially following last season’s failed experiment. In fact, if you combine the offensive production of the other six second-base starters — Tolleson (15), Ryan Goins (12), Maicer Izturis (9), Chris Getz (6), Kawasaki (4) and Jon Diaz (1) — the numbers are begging for help. The six non-Lawrie second basemen are 38 for 168- with .226 average with seven doubles, two triples, three homers, eight RBIs, three steals, a .270 on-base average and a .615 OPS.

Recall that in 1991-93, when the Jays went to the post-season all three years, the second baseman was Roberto Alomar. Certainly a team is more than just one position, but the gap between Alomar and what the Jays have now needs to be narrowed via trade to be at all credible. It may not happen until July, because many teams still have not sorted out whether they are contenders.

When the June draft is in the rear-view mirror and the July 15 signing deadline passes, trades will heat up.

Among the most desirable second basemen that might be available in July are Nick Franklin of the Mariners, Ramon Santiago of the Reds, Darwin Barney of the Cubs and Ramiro Pena of the Braves. There are some other players at the position that are younger with higher upside, but the Jays have Goins at Triple-A Buffalo and need an upgrade right now in experience and offensive help.

If the Jays are able to upgrade at second, then the battle among contenders to acquire a starting pitcher takes on a more serious air of gravitas. As of Wednesday, 24 of the 30 MLB teams within 5.5 games of a playoff position. The six teams that were six or more games back — and some of those still believe they are in a race — include the Diamondbacks, Padres, Cubs, Mets, Astros and Rays.

Does that mean David Price is available? Likely, but at what price?

Price is an interesting trade target for the Jays at $14 million (U.S.) on a one-year deal. Given the payroll manipulations over Ervin Santana at the exact same 2014 cost that became very public and controversial, and given the fact Price has the 2015 season remaining before free agency, Anthopoulos would have to show some financial imagination to make that deal. But the impact in the clubhouse would be as big as when Pat Gillick acquired David Cone from the Mets in 1993.

Other potential targets that have been mentioned and in whom the Jays should have some interest include Jeff Samardzija and Jason Hammel (Cubs), A.J. Burnett (Phillies), Ian Kennedy (Padres), Edwin Jackson (Cubs) and Charlie Morton (Pirates).

Of those names, the most intriguing remains Price, a known commodity within the AL East should there be a race to be run. The Rays are not likely to deal Price to Boston after that recent on-field scuffle, nor with the Yankees, just because.

Bottom line? The Jays won’t earn a playoff berth if they stand pat. They need to upgrade at second base and the rotation.

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If history dictates a five-game lead is the key, it also dictates that a significant change in the second half is just as important.

If Anthopoulos fails, it won’t be from lack of effort.