Blue Jays: Man crushing on Marco and why the Jays need to resign him
![BALTIMORE, MD - AUGUST 31: Marco Estrada](https://images2.minutemediacdn.com/image/upload/c_fill,w_752,ar_16:9,f_auto,q_auto,g_auto/shape/cover/sport/https-3A-2F-2Fjaysjournal-com-2Fwp-content-2Fuploads-2Fgetty-images-2F2017-2F09-2F841343308-toronto-blue-jays-v-baltimore-orioles-jpg-850x560-255a0bedc8006952fc0d0031061d0de2.jpg)
Toronto Blue Jays pitcher Marco Estrada is set to become a free agent at season’s end, however, the 34-year old change-up specialist makes no bones about his desire to remain in Toronto.
Article Disclaimer: I am generally a fan of the offensive side of the game and don’t usually find myself man crushing over a pitcher, enter Marco Estrada.
Even after all his struggles this season Estrada still embodies what a teammate and role model should be on and off the field. The guy is an absolute beauty and someone the Blue Jays brain trust need to bring back into the fold for next season and beyond.
Estrada is attempting to salvage a frustrating campaign in which his off-speed pitches did not miss many opposing bats. The hurler would always step up to the microphone and take ownership for his outing focussing on the team and what he needed to do to get better.
The soft tossing righty has lowered his earned run average to 4.96 in part mainly to his last five out of six starts where he has surrendered three runs or less. After his latest victory two nights ago versus the Orioles, Estrada once again took the opportunity to express his desire to return next season and hoped he had done enough for the powers to be to want him back.
“I want to come back, I think everyone knows that. Maybe after whatever that contract may be, if I do come back, I’d have to think, ‘OK, it’s about time to go home.’ But right now I feel like I’m in a good place and I feel like this team’s going to be in a much better place next season, and I want to be a part of that.”
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Marco earned $14.5 million this season after re-upping with the Jays on a two-year $26 million pact at the conclusion of the 2015 season. One would have to think the Jays could extend him just above that amount once again, somewhere in the neighborhood of a two-year deal worth $32 million with a club option for a third would be close to market value.
The Blue Jays utilized 14 different starters this season and would be down two in the rotation if Estrada ends up leaving. The Jays already dealt Francisco Liriano who was one of the rotation pieces earlier in the season and nobodies knows what to expect from the likes of Aaron Sanchez or Joe Biagini for that matter next season.
At the end of the day, Estrada has a proven track record during not only the regular season but also the postseason. He is a great teammate and represents what the Blue Jays are looking to encapsulate as an organization all the while wishing to remain north of the border rather than returning to his home state of Arizona.
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We can all agree he has had a down year but we know what he can do and there is nobody more exciting to watch when Estrada is making hitters look silly with the change-up.
For the sake of my man-crush, resign my boy, Marco.