Blue Jays: A look at 8 non-tendered free agent pitchers

Mandatory Credit: Joe Nicholson-USA TODAY Sports

Cesar Ramos (31)
2015:  52.1 IP  |  2.75 ERA  |  1.338 WHIP

Here’s another interesting one, as Ramos did nothing to earn his non-tender after pitching a full season to a 2.75 ERA. This also gave the former Tampa Bay Rays pitcher a career high 0.6 WAR, so with his career lefty-on-lefty OPS of .633, there will surely be a market.

Toronto fans should be relatively familiar with Ramos, whose four years in Tampa Bay combined for a 3.66 ERA. The majority of his work came as a reliever, though the Rays did use him for seven starts throughout 2014. Ramos was projected to earn $1.7 million from the Angels in arbitration.

The addition of a capable left-handed relief arm could appeal to the Jays for two reasons, the first of which is the uncertain nature of Aaron Loup following a horrible (and unlucky) 2015. Another southpaw would also remove any lefty-bias from the usage of Brett Cecil, freeing him to play a strict setup or high-leverage role.

Like every reliever around age 30 that we’ll discuss over the next month, Ramos has begun to lose a little juice on his fastball which now only rests around 90 MPH. He also leans frequently on his slider as a secondary offering, which can be his most effective pitch when it’s on.

Though he and Ryan Cook are coming off entirely different 2015 seasons, they’re in the same conversation. Arms with the ceiling potential to be competent 4th-5th bullpen arms at a low cost.

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