Blue Jays add rotation depth, claim Brad Mills off waivers from Athletics

If Alex Anthopoulos is anything, he is a busy man. The Toronto Blue Jays general manager is forever looking for ways to make his team better and add depth. On Thursday he made one such move, claiming left-hander Brad Mills off waivers according to Ken Rosenthal of Fox Sports.

#BlueJays claim LHP Brad Mills.

— Ken Rosenthal (@Ken_Rosenthal) July 17, 2014

Mills was placed on waivers by the Oakland Athletics July 7th, a move necessitated after the A’s acquired Jason Hammel and Jeff Samardzija from the Chicago Cubs. The 29-year-old made 3 starts for the Athletics before losing his job, throwing 16.1 innings and posting a 1-1 record, a 4.41 ERA, and a 7.7 K/9 ratio.

This will be Brad’s second tour of duty in the Blue Jays system. The former Arizona Wildcat was drafted by the Blue Jays in the fourth round of the 2007 amateur draft and quickly made his way through the Toronto system. He would appear in 14 games (9 starts) over three seasons with Toronto, posting a 8.57 ERA, a 6.00 FIP, and a 8.4 K/9 ratio with the Blue Jays.

Mills was sent to the Los Angeles Angels prior to the 2012 season in a deal that brought catcher Jeff Mathis to Toronto.

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It is an interesting decision to bring Mills to the Blue Jays, as MLB Trade Rumors notes, because the lefty is out of options. With the rotation currently consisting of R.A. Dickey, Drew Hutchison, Mark Buehrle, J.A. Happ, and Marcus Stroman, there is no immediate need for him as a starter. That means the Jays are likely going to use him in a relief role, which would necessitate a move in the bullpen, liking meaning Chad Jenkins could be heading back down.

Of course, there are two alternatives here as well. There could be an injury that we are not currently aware of that will open up a rotation spot. There could also be a trade in the works that could necessitate the Blue Jays needing an extra arm.