Blue Jays close to extension with Marco Estrada

According to Jon Morosi of Fox Sports, the Toronto Blue Jays are closing in on a contract extension with pitcher Marco Estrada. The deal is rumoured to include one guaranteed year with more than likely a mutual option attached.

Marco Estrada is set to become a free agent at season’s end, however, the 34-year old has openly expressed his desire to remain in Toronto moving forward. Estrada earned $14.5 million in the final year of his 2 year/$26 million dollars pact he agreed upon in the offseason of 2015.

The change-up specialist has struggled to find consistency this season but has looked like his former self of late. In 9 of his last 11 starts, he has surrendered 3 runs or less lowering his earned run average 4.84 on the season.

Estrada would join the likes of Marcus Stroman, J.A. Happ, and Aaron Sanchez as the guaranteed starting four in the Blue Jays 2018 rotation with Joe Biagini the odds-on favourite for the fifth and final spot as of right now.

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The Blue Jays acquired Estrada from the Milwaukee Brewers in exchange for Adam Lind back in 2014. The hurler reinvented himself north of the border before hitting a road bump this season. In 3 seasons with the Jays, Estrada owns a respectable 3.81 earned run average in 88 starts.

Estrada was also money on the bump for the Blue Jays in his 6 postseason starts proving he could handle the pressure cooker that is the playoffs. When he is on there isn’t a more exciting pitcher to watch employ his craft fooling hitters with a below average fastball and a nasty change-up.

The native of Mexico is a great teammate on and off the field and never shies away from the camera after a poor outing. He is absolutely a true professional and an asset to any pitching staff.

Next: Blue Jays: Looking ahead at the FA outfield market

Hopefully, the Jays can get his signed on the dotted line and Estrada can redeem himself in 2018.