The Toronto Blue Jays went hard after starting pitching prior to Monday's non-waiver trade deadline and landed on acquiring struggling Pittsburgh Pirates left-hander Francisco Liriano -- an odd move considering the Jays are contending for the AL East and not looking for reclamation projects.

The trade was for now and later, according to Fox Sports' Ken Rosenthal. Liriano is signed for 2017, an important consideration with the starting-pitching market expected to be extremely weak this offseason. The Jays weren't going to overpay for a starter at the deadline and won't do it in the winter, either.

Rosenthal cites sources that say the Jays went hard after Rich Hill, who was ultimately traded to the Los Angeles Dodgers, and settled for Liriano and the $18 million left on his deal. In the deal, they obtained two intriguing prospects from the Pirates to help offset his salary in outfielder Harold Ramirez and catcher Reese McGuire.