The Toronto Blue Jays are in need of starting pitching depth. The front office has taken care of the offense and defense with a proven star and infield depth. They bolstered their bullpen with closer Kirby Yates and swingman Tyler Chatwood. The Blue Jays are open to the need for another starter to slot in with ace Hyun-Jin Ryu. At this point, the starting staff of this improved team is the weakest link. Right now, this is Toronto’s current starting rotation:
Hyun-Jin Ryu
Nate Pearson
Robbie Ray
Tanner Roark
Ross Stripling/Trent Thornton/Anthony Kay/Stephen Matz
Coming off a trade from the New York Mets, Stephen Matz doesn’t fit the bill as the impact pitcher the team needs. However, Matz has experienced some success in the majors and certainly comes with talent. Nate Pearson, Robbie Ray, Tanner Roark, Ross Stripling, Trent Thornton, and Anthony Kay figure to be the ones to challenge for the bottom of the rotation. Ideally, adding a mid-rotation arm would help the Blue Jays starting pitching. Doing so will ease the load off of Pearson.
Taijuan Walker
The Blue Jays acquired Taijuan Walker from the Seattle Mariners on August 27. In six games, Walker went 2-1 with a 1.37 ERA. Overall, he posted 11 starts with a 2.70 ERA, the third-lowest of his career. Part of Walker’s success with Toronto is thanks to pitching coach Pete Walker.
The 51-year old has a reputation for connecting with his pitchers. It certainly paid off for Walker, who has yet to sign a new contract. If the Blue Jays believe that Walker has the upside of being a mid-rotation pitcher, they should bring him back. There’s no guarantee of a reunion, but Walker would be an excellent fit for this already promising roster.
James Paxton
When healthy, James Paxton has an overpowering arm. He remains to be one of the more talented left-handers in baseball. He does carry the most prominent risk as he is coming off a season-ending injury. The 32-year old was limited to 20 and one-third innings in five games with a 6.64 ERA 2020.
It was a turnaround from his first season in the Bronx with a 15-6 record and a 3.83 ERA. The season prior, Paxton threw a no-hitter against the Blue Jays, becoming the first Canadain to complete the feat on home soil. If the Blue Jays want to beef up their rotation, Paxton will come at a low cost. On a short-term deal, that upside should appeal to the Blue Jays front office.
Jake Odorizzi
Jake Odorizzi was a free agent last winter. Odorizzi would return to the Minnesota Twins but similar to Paxton; he struggled to stay healthy. The 30-year old posted a dismal 6.59 ERA in four starts, and he didn’t pitch in the playoffs. The season before that, Odorizzi was an All-Star who helped the Twins win the AL Central.
Teams know what he’s capable of doing. He can be a consistent force in any starting rotation when healthy. Odorizzi capped his All-Star season in 2019 with a 3.51 ERA and a record of 15-7. The right-hander remains on the Blue Jays’ radar, just as he was an offseason ago.
Last Thoughts
The Blue Jays won’t be big spenders for the remainder of the offseason. That’s a clear indication the team won’t be pursuing free agent Trevor Bauer. On the other hand, the argument can be made that these options would be ideal for a mid-rotation role. All three starting pitchers could give the Blue Jays what they need, mostly when healthy. If none of the three sign with Toronto, at least they have built themselves pitching depth. With new additions joining the club, adding another starter to their rotation will be a complete transformation.
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