{"id":11449,"date":"2018-02-08T22:56:31","date_gmt":"2018-02-09T03:56:31","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/baseball\/\/?p=11449"},"modified":"2024-12-28T10:51:05","modified_gmt":"2024-12-28T15:51:05","slug":"john-axford-signs-blue-jays","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/baseball\/2018\/02\/08\/john-axford-signs-blue-jays\/","title":{"rendered":"John Axford Signs With The Toronto Blue Jays"},"content":{"rendered":"

We’re about a week away from pitchers and catchers reporting to Spring Training, but we have\u00a0action\u00a0in the free agent market. The\u00a0Toronto Blue Jays<\/a>\u00a0signed 34-year-old\u00a0John Axford<\/a>\u00a0per\u00a0Ken Rosenthal\u00a0<\/a>of The Athletic. \u00a0Details of the deal remain to be released. Axford will have a homecoming of sorts as he is a native of Simcoe, Ontario.<\/p>\n

John Axford Signs With The Toronto Blue Jays<\/h1>\n

Axford pitched for the Oakland Athletics<\/a> last season and it wasn’t a stellar campaign. In 22 games he went\u00a0 0-1 with a 6.43 ERA in 21 innings and a -0.2 WAR. His command, or lack thereof, resulted in a 7.3 BB\/9 and an 11.6 H\/9. He totaled 17 walks and 27 hits. He did, however, pick up 21 strikeouts.<\/p>\n

Axford will be going into his ninth year at the major league level and while 2017 was a down year, he’s put together a productive eight-year career. He has a career 34-33 record with a 3.71 ERA. He’s recorded 144 saves in 470.2 innings and has 535 career strikeouts.<\/p>\n

Given Axford’s performance last season, he could see a one-year minor league deal with\u00a0an invite\u00a0to Spring Training.<\/p>\n

If indeed he gets a minor league contract, he’ll be fighting for a spot in the Jays bullpen. Closer Roberto Osuna<\/a> and relievers Ryan Tepera<\/a> and Danny Barnes<\/a>, along with lefty Aaron Loup<\/a> will all be locks for the Toronto’s bullpen, but there are\u00a0other candidates to fill out the Blue Jays bullpen.\u00a0Jake Petricka<\/a>, Al Alburquerque<\/a>, Rhiner Cruz<\/a>, Matt Dermody<\/a>, Tim Mayza<\/a> and Carlos Ramirez<\/a> were all given Spring Training invites and Axford will have to fight for the remaining bullpen positions.<\/p>\n

Before last season, Axford was coming off a strong campaign in 2016. He turned in a 3.97 ERA with a 4.01 FIP in 65.2 innings. Axford featured a 95 MPH fastball, curveball, and slider last season.<\/p>\n

Axford has struggled with his command but he’s managed to do well against both right-handed and left-handed\u00a0hitters. Against righties, he’s had a .710 OPS, and he’s posted a .666 OPS against lefties throughout his career.<\/p>\n

Main Photo
\nEmbed from Getty Images<\/a>