Blue Jays Free Agent Face Off- Estrada or Liriano

Envision yourself as the Toronto Blue Jays General Manager this offseason, which starting pitcher would you resign this offseason, Marco Estrada or Francisco Liriano?

The Blue Jays brain trust will have a decision to make soon regarding hurlers Marco Estrada and Francisco Liriano as both are slated to become unrestricted free agents at season’s end.

I authored an article on “Should the Blue Jays lock up Estrada” earlier this week and was astounded by the number of comments I received via social media in favor of re-upping Estrada on a potential multi-year pact.

So this got me pondering whether Estrada would be the obvious choice when faced off with Liriano with there only being enough money to sign one. So who would you choose or would you let both walk. Let the debate rage on.

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Tale of the Tape:

Age:

Estrada turns 34 in July.

Liriano turns 34 in October.

Throws:

Estrada-Right

Liriano- Left

Injury Woes:

Estrada battled back issues all of 2016.

Liriano was struck in the head with a line drive during the post season.

Current Contract:

Estrada 2017 $14,500,000- signed 2 year/$26 million with Blue Jays.

Liriano 2017- $13,666,667- signed 3 year/$39 million deal with Pirates.

2016 Stat Line:   

Estrada 9-9, 3.48 ERA, 1.119 WHIP, 8.4 SO/9, 3.3 BB/9

Liriano   8-3, 4.69 ERA, 1.485 WHIP, 9.3 SO/9, 4.7 BB/9

Career Stat Line:

Estrada 45-43, 3.86 ERA, 1.144 WHIP, 8.1 SO/9, 2.7 BB/9- 898 IP

Liriano 96-92, 4.05 ERA, 1.330 WHIP, 9.3 SO/9, 3.9 BB/9- 1513 IP

Postseason Career Stat Line:

Estrada 3-3, 2.64 ERA, 0.839 WHIP, 8.1 S0/9, 0.8 BB/9- 47.2 IP

Liriano 2-0, 3.97 ERA, 1.059 WHIP, 7.5 SO/9, 3.2 BB/9- 22.2 IP

Career WAR:

Estrada 9.8 WAR- 9 seasons

Liriano 17.4 WAR- 11 seasons

Career Accolades:

Estrada- 2016 All-Star, 10th in CY Young voting 2015

Liriano- 2006 All-Star, 3rd ROY voting 2006,  CY Young 11th in 2010, 9th in 2013 voting.

Pitch Type 2016:

Estrada: Fastball 49.8%, Change Up 28.6%, Cutter 11.7%, Curve Ball 9.9%- 4 pitches

Liriano: Fastball 51.6%, Slider 29%, Change Up 19.4%- 3 pitches

Potential In-House Replacements 2018:

Sean Reid-Foley, Conner Greene, Jon Harris, Angel Perdomo, Justin Maese, Joe Biagini

Next: Blue Jays: Canadians in the Farm System

So there is your information, be sure to comment below on which pitcher you would sign if any.