Blue Jays’ Tom Koehler is an asset but at what price?

The Toronto Blue Jays have until 8 pm EST to determine the fate of the likes of pitcher Tom Koehler as the hurler is arbitration eligible with a projected price tag of approximately $6 million.

Tom Koehler could be not only a valuable piece but a versatile one in 2018 for the Blue Jays but at what cost is the does it make sense for the Jays to employ his services. The 31-year old Koehler was acquired from the Miami Marlins in the middle of August for prospect Osman Gutierrez.

The hurler came to Toronto with 132 major league starts under his belt including 12 with Miami leading up the deal however Koehler found his niche with the Blue Jays pitching out of the bullpen down the stretch.

Koehler made one start for the Jays and 14 relief appearances pitching to a respectable 2.65 earned run average while fanning 18 in 17 innings of work with the Jays. Even in his one start with Toronto, he tossed 5 innings of one-run ball while whiffing 7 in a 2-0 loss to the Tampa Bay Rays.

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The former 18th round pick of the Marlins sports a career 4.44 earned run average with opponents batting .261 off him in 133 career starts. In 28 career relief appearances, Koehler owns a 3.38 earned run average with hitters batting only .217 off him.

The 6-year veteran was very open-minded about working as a reliever following the acquisition and could be a valuable weapon out of the bullpen if the Jays are comfortable with the financial responsibility attached to Koehler who earned $5.750 million in 2017.

"“I’m probably as interested and intrigued as they are, it’s something I always thought that I could possibly do. I love starting. I love what it takes, the preparation, the routine behind everything. But I’m sure in time (relieving) is something I can learn to do.”"

Koehler features a 5-pitch repertoire with a knee-buckling hook curveball that leaves hitters shaking their head for days. However, if the Jays are interested in employing Koehler as a starter from here on out, the price tag is a little easier to swallow but they have not spoken publicly on where they see him as a fit moving forward.

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We will know by this evening if the Jays plan on keeping the versatile hurler in the fold for another campaign or non-tendering him which would make him a free agent. Hopefully, both sides can find some common ground and keep Koehler in the mix for 2018.