Blue Jays: Ryan Tepera loses arbitration case

The only Blue Jays player to go to trial this season, reliever Ryan Tepera has reportedly lost his arbitration case against the team.

According to MLB.com’s Mark Feinsand and ESPN’s Jeff Passan, right-handed relief pitcher Ryan Tepera has lost his arbitration case against the Toronto Blue Jays organization, along with fellow reliever Kyle Barraclough, who lost his case against the Washington Nationals.

It was reported on Wednesday by the Associated Press (via the Toronto Star) that Tepera, who had filed at $1.8 million last month, would be expecting a decision either Thursday or Friday. The team filed at $1.525 million.

Tepera, who turned 31 in November, pitched to an ERA of 3.62 in 64.2 frames in 2018, striking out 68 and walking 24 while adding seven saves in 68 appearances. In his fourth major league season, he was worth a decent 1.3 WAR, seventh on the team.

More from Jays Journal

• Blue Jays: Alek Manoah on pace to succeed in possible postseason
• Blue Jays: Bradley Zimmer has carved himself a valuable role
• Anthony Bass has been the shutdown reliever the Blue Jays needed
• Blue Jays: Vladimir Guerrero Jr. open to a long-term contract
• Blue Jays: Snapping cold streaks at the right time

Prior to that, in 2017, the native of Houston, Texas pitched to an ERA of 3.59 in 77.2 innings, striking out 81 and walking 31, adding a whopping seven relief wins.

The only member of the Blue Jays arbitration-eligible group to have not settled prior to the filing deadline, the righty will now earn $1.525 million, a raise from his 2018 salary of $574,500.

Tepera will now enter the 2019 season as one of the bullpen’s most experienced and, by some stretch, most reliable, arms in their bullpen. Though general manager Ross Atkins has expressed a desire to shore up the pitching depth ahead of the start of the season, Tepera should still be one of their top choices for a setup man.

Overall, since Tepera was the only player to have filed for arbitration, the Blue Jays continue to maintain steady relationships with their players and agents, having settled with the previously questionable Marcus Stroman, who went to arbitration last season.