Blue Jays: Does Clay Buchholz make sense?

Clay Buchholz is very well-known to Blue Jays fans having played 9 of his 11 seasons for the A.L. East Boston Red Sox. He had a productive 2018 with a 2.01ERA over 98 innings pitched for Arizona. Could those numbers put the Jays on the hunt for the former two-time all-star?

Clay Buchholz’s numbers in 2018 were very respectable, likely earning the Texan a raise over the 1.5 million he made last season. He should be had on a one year deal, which may work in regards to what the Blue Jays are looking for commitment wise. If he were to perform well, he could be a candidate to be moved for prospects at the deadline as he has a proven MLB track record.

Blue Jays president Mark Shapiro says he’s confident that GM Ross Atkins will impact the team’s pitching depth dramatically before the start of 2019 Spring training. Going by that comment, it would make sense that the Blue Jays are going to be looking to sign outside free agent pitchers at some point.

When thinking about who to sign, Blue Jays management will likely be looking ahead with next August in mind, and which pitchers could have the most trade appeal at the deadline. The Jays could look to add some of these experienced low-risk, high-reward veteran contracts in an attempt to gain even more prospect capital.

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Buchholz has had injury problems for most of his career, running into elbow and oblique issues as recently as this past season. He would not be someone the Jays should be counting on for big innings in 2019. However at 34, Buchholz does have a ton of experience both having played in a World Series and pitched a no-hitter.

While playing in Philadelphia in 2017, he was known for mentoring young Phillies players, and with the Blue Jays short on experienced pitching mentors for their young crop of upcoming pitchers, he could fill that role well until the trade deadline.

It’s likely that Buchholz will receive offers somewhere in the 3-5 million a year range, and my guess as only one year deals due to his previous health issues.

Being a known commodity with experience in big games, he will likely have good trade appeal if he comes close to matching his ERA from 2018 in 2019. He is a player I could see the Jays making a play on later this Winter as other free agents come off the board.

While it wouldn’t be the flashiest signing the Blue Jays could make this off-season, bringing in Clay Buchholz would do a lot for pitching experience in the clubhouse, and it could add some value if we would be able to flip Clay to a contender at the deadline for some prospects.