Blue Jays still looking to add pitching according to Ross Atkins

The Toronto Blue Jays are reportedly still looking to add pitching and it could be either a starter or a reliever according to General Manager Ross Atkins.

Ross Atkins met with the media yesterday in Dunedin and indicated he is working daily on adding another arm. As it stands currently, the Blue Jays opening day rotation included Marcus Stroman, Aaron Sanchez, Matt Shoemaker, Clayton Richard, and sophomore Ryan Borucki.

If Atkins feels so inclined, there are a plethora of starting pitchers still available on the free agent market. The likes of Dallas Keuchel, Gio Gonzalez, Edwin Jackson, James Shields, Clay Buchholz, Bartolo Colon, and Yovani Gallardo all still remain unsigned.

Keuchel is obviously the cream of the remaining crop, however, Gonzalez is an interesting name who could certainly solidify the rotation and bump Richard into a long reliever role in the bullpen. Richard had a not so flattering 5.33 earned run average in 27 starts last season with the Padres.

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The Jays also have Sam Gaviglio, Thomas Pannone, Julian Merryweather, and Trent Thornton filling out the six through nine rotation depth spots. All four could conceivably start the season in Buffalo to remain stretched out in the event of an injury to the starting five.

The bullpen picture is not as clear as a number of relievers are in camp vying for jobs. Ken Giles is a lock for the closer role with Ryan Tepera, David Phelps, Joe Biagini, and Tim Mayza looking like locks.

John Axford, Hector Perez, David Paulino, Danny Barnes, Javy Guerra, Willy Ortiz, and Mark Leiter Jr. are all trying to impress their new skipper and break camp with the Jays.

Craig Kimbrel is the most established free agent reliever still remaining, however, there are some other serviceable arms still kicking around such as Matt Bush, Ryan Madson, Bud Norris, AJ Ramos, Tony Sipp, and Adam Warren.

The market is tough to predict with Ervin Santana just inking a minor league pact with the White Sox earlier today. The Jays may be able to capitalize on the evaporating market and sign one of these hurlers to a very team friendly, incentive laden contract.