The all-star break is over, so let the trades begin.

Even though the Blue Jays have played 91 games and have long ago passed the halfway mark of the schedule, traditionally this is referred to as the start of the “second half.”

And as the trade deadline without waivers approaches on July 31, other GMs will now begin catching up with ever-earnest Jays GM Alex Anthopoulos.

While he waits for callbacks from his MLB peers, internally Anthopoulos has begun to make adjustments, some of which have more than one purpose behind them.

For instance, outfielder Dalton Pompey has been promoted to Triple-A Buffalo from Double-A New Hampshire, where he had re-established his confidence, posting a .346 average, with six homers, seven steals and a .929 OPS in 30 games. This move has been explained as “on the road back to the majors” but, in fact, may be mainly to give other teams a chance to scout Pompey for a possible trade.

In addition, highly valued right-handed prospect Jeff Hoffman has been promoted from Class-A Dunedin to New Hampshire as a starter. At high Class A he was 3-3 with a 3.21 ERA in 56 innings, cranking the radar gun up to 99 m.p.h. This promotion reflects the two-year-old philosophy of fast-tracking top prospects through their system. But Hoffman is likely not in play as a trade chip.

The man that holds the key to whatever if anything will happen is Anthopoulos. And they key in terms of narrowing the gap between his league-leading offence and his mediocre pitching is 23-year-old right-hander Aaron Sanchez, who has been sidelined since June 14. The young pitcher’s versatility is attractive to suitors.

Sanchez has been promoted from Dunedin to Buffalo and jumped right into the rotation on Thursday night against Columbus. Sanchez is on injury-rehab assignment and in two previous starts — one with Gulf Coast League Jays and one at Dunedin — has maxed out at 2 2/3 innings. He needs at least two or three more starts to be stretched out enough to make his return to the Jays’ rotation.

The reason why Sanchez is key at the trade deadline is this — Anthopoulos’ stated priority is to bolster the starting rotation. That may happen any day between now and the deadline. At that point, Sanchez would be brought up to the bullpen, because he has been stretched out enough for the short bursts required for a late-inning contributor to pair with Roberto Osuna.

If Anthopoulos is able to acquire a quality relief pitcher, Sanchez would then become a starter, but one only able to rejoin the rotation by July 26 or Aug. 1. Sanchez is the key to this club becoming a contender.

When Sanchez was recalled to the majors last year he was outstanding in relief. For his career, out of the bullpen he is 2-2 with a 1.09 ERA, pitching 33 innings, allowing 14 hits with nine walks and 27 strikeouts. As a starter, the Jays’ former first-round pick in 2010 was forced into the 2015 rotation after the spring training injury to Marcus Stroman. Sanchez made 11 starts. Over his last eight he averaged 104 pitches, and then on June 5 broke down and was forced onto the DL shortly after when his strained right lat failed to respond.

So what teams have starters that may be available?

Only four teams — the Marlins, Phillies, Brewers and Rockies — are more than eight games out of a potential playoff berth. Teams that a month ago may have been willing to deal are now looking hard at the possibility of going for it. That being said, the A’s, Reds and Padres likely are looking at their fringe status realistically and are willing to trade the present for the future.

Available starters from those seven “seller” rosters include familiar names like Cole Hamels (Phils); Kyle Lohse, Matt Garza (both on the DL) and Mike Fiers (Brewers); Mat Latos and Dan Haren (Marlins); Jorge de la Rosa (Rockies); Scott Kazmir (A’s); Johnny Cueto and Mike Leake (Reds) and Tyson Ross, Ian Kennedy and Andrew Cashner (Padres).

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If Anthopoulos strikes out on a starter, he will turn to relievers.

But the Jays will make a trade before July 31, and the GM is willing to overpay.

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