Blue Jays actively looking to add starting pitcher

Toronto Blue Jays manager John Gibbons confirmed to the media yesterday that the front office is actively in search of another starting pitcher for the rotation.

The Blue Jays currently have Joe Biagini penciled in as the fifth starter, however, there is thought he would be better suited for a role at the back-end of the bullpen after struggling last season as a starter.

Combined with Biagini are Marcus Stroman, Aaron Sanchez, J.A. Happ and Marco Estrada who if healthy provide a legitimate starting four. It would appear the Jays are looking to finally dive into the free agent market in their search for another arm.

There is still a plethora of pitchers in search of a new home for 2018, the likes of Jake Arrieta, Alex Cobb, Lance Lynn, Chris Tillman, Andrew Cashner, Jaime Garcia, Jeremy Hellickson, Jason Vargas all remain available.

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Former Blue Jays’ Brett Anderson and Francisco Liriano have yet to sign contracts and there has been speculation that Anderson could be a good candidate to return. Anderson made 7 starts and sported a 5.13 earned run average for the Jays last season after signing as a free agent in late August.

The Alex Cobb pipe dream is null and void at this point, in all likelihood the addition will be someone way further down the food chain than someone of Cobb’s ilk. The Jays have been rumoured to have some degree of interest in Cashner and Tillman earlier in the offseason.

Veteran pitcher Jason Vargas would also make sense on a one-year deal but it appears the Mets are gaining steam toward signing Vargas according to Mike Puma of the New York Post.

Next: Tulowitzki already reinforces the importance of depth

It’s anyone’s guess where the chips will finally fall after an offseason of slowplaying the free agent market. Ideally, the Jays should want to shore up the rotation sooner than later and have their newest member in camp with the team.

Regardless baseball is back!