Blue Jays offseason: 5 realistic free agent starters

Credit: Gary A. Vasquez-USA TODAY Sports

Mike Leake might be the best bang for your buck on this list. The number eight pick in the 2009 draft has logged a ton of solid innings over the past three years. Leake might not be blowing up the radar gun, or racking up strike outs like some of the other pitchers in this list, but with his average BB% of 5.9% and his average of .99 HR/9 over the past three season, Leake eats through innings while avoiding a lot of trouble.

In 2015 Leake would put up another solid season. Pitching with both the Cincinnati Reds, and San Fransisco Giants, Leake posted a 3.70ERA in 192 IP. Leake relies heavily on his sinker, which he can throw in the low nineties for consistent strikes. With a cutter, curve, slider, change, and the occasional four-seam fastball, Leake can throw all of his pitches for consistent strikes, attacking the zone early in the count and inducing some weaker contact in the following pitches. Leake has proved to be a consistent pitcher in small ballparks like Great American Ballpark, making his possible transition into the Rogers Centre smooth.

Leake hasn’t headlined many free agent discussions thus far this off season, but at only 27 years old, Leake has the potential to become an All-Star in this league. Leake will most likely get deal worth $14-17 million annually.