Blue Jays: A quietly well constructed bullpen after all

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TORONTO, ON – JUNE 29: General manager Ross Atkins of the Toronto Blue Jays speaks to members of the media before the start of MLB game action against the Detroit Tigers at Rogers Centre on June 29, 2018 in Toronto, Canada. (Photo by Tom Szczerbowski/Getty Images) /

It was a long offseason that required patience from Blue Jays fans, but the more I look at the bullpen that’s quietly been put together, the more I like it.

It seems to me that the majority of Blue Jays fans understood that this offseason would be a rebuilding one, and that Ross Atkins and company wouldn’t be that active in the free agency market. However, another ice-cold free agent winter had many of us wondering when the Blue Jays would jump on a bargain, especially to round out their pitching staff.

They did acquire a few arms to help throughout the winter, but it wasn’t until after Spring Training had already begun that they signed Clay Buchholz and Bud Norris to help fortify the rotation, and the bullpen. Neither figures to be a top-tier contributor, but there’s no doubt that the veteran depth should help the Blue Jays get through the 2019 season a little more easily. In fact, now that I take a closer look at the bullpen that’s been assembled over the last few months, I actually kinda like what I’m seeing.

No, it won’t be a group that competes with the Yankees’ vaunted bullpen by any means, but my guess is that it’ll be an improved unit from 2018, and one that could produce a few valuable chips as the trade deadline draws closer. As we’ve seen in recent years, that can certainly work in their favour, as bullpen depth has been increasingly valued across the game.

Let’s have a look at who will be given a bullpen spot, and some of the talented depth that will be competing for a chance to stick in the big leagues this spring.

ST PETERSBURG, FL – SEPTEMBER 28: Ken Giles #51 of the Toronto Blue Jays throws a pitch in the ninth inning against the Tampa Bay Rays on September 28, 2018 at Tropicana Field in St Petersburg, Florida. (Photo by Julio Aguilar/Getty Images) /

Ken Giles and Ryan Tepera

For those of us who hung in with the Blue Jays last season, we got a good chance to see what Ken Giles can do in a Blue Jay uniform. He of course came to Toronto in the trade that sent Roberto Osuna to Houston, giving both talented closers a fresh start in a new uniform.

Giles has an up and down history of success in the big leagues, but there’s no denying that he’s got the skill set to be an effective closer as long as he can consistently bring that effort to the mound. He picked up 14 saves after his arrival in Toronto, pitching to a 4.12 ERA over 19.2 innings. It was a slight improvement from what the numbers show from his time spent in Houston last year, but it was really only a rough outing or two that makes it look like he struggled much at all. For the most part, Giles gave the Blue Jays plenty to be excited about, and reason to hope that the can be a valuable trade chip come this summer, if not a long-term fit as the closer

Ryan Tepera has quickly become one of the longest tenured Blue Jays left on the roster, and he’s quietly carved himself a nice role as a late-inning contributor over the past few seasons. He struggled when he was handed the closer’s role at times, but for the most part he’s been a reliable reliever throughout his career, and has frequently worked in the 7th and 8th innings. Combine that with the fact that he’s still got arbitration eligibility and isn’t even making two million a season yet, and there are bound to be interested parties if the Blue Jays put Tepera on the block.

Perhaps giving him an additional piece of value, Tepera has pitched for more than one inning at a time in the past, and even expressed some interest in giving starting another go last season. While I don’t think that’s going to be happen, the fact that he’s capable of pitching in a multi-inning stint won’t hurt his value at all, to the Blue Jays or anywhere else.

DENVER, CO – AUGUST 24: Bud Norris #26 of the St. Louis Cardinals celebrates after the final out of a 7-5 win over the Colorado Rockies during Players’ Weekend at Coors Field on August 24, 2018 in Denver, Colorado. Players are wearing special jerseys with their nicknames on them during Players’ Weekend. (Photo by Dustin Bradford/Getty Images) /

The new additions

When I think about the “quiet value” that the Blue Jays got out of their bullpen shopping this winter, it really comes down to a couple of guys who could contribute far beyond compensation.

Early in the winter Atkins signed David Phelps to a creative contract, and he could earn anywhere from one million up to eight million, depending on how many appearances he makes. That’s significant as he comes off of an arm injury, and will give him plenty of incentive to work hard to get ready, and to contribute at the top of his game.

Prior to his Tommy John surgery that made him miss all of 2018, Phelps was a solid reliever that could pitch in the late innings. He had a 3.40 ERA in time split between Miami and Seattle in 2017, and was even better in 2016 with a 2.28 mark across 86.2 innings. If he performs anywhere near the standard of those two seasons, he’ll be a valuable arm for Charlie Montoyo, and probably a sought after trade chip this summer.

The other potential late-inning arm belongs to Bud Norris, who was just signed last week to a MiLB contract. Based on his performance it’s a bit of a surprise that he was still unsigned, but perhaps it had something to do with the clashes he had with young players in St. Louis recently, which makes his signing in Toronto at least a little curious.

Still, Norris can certainly pitch, and he 3.59 ERA across 64 appearances for the Cardinals last year, picking up 28 saves as well. The former starter has found some success in the bullpen, and I imagine the Blue Jays will likely utilize him somewhere in the 6th or 7th inning on a fairly regular basis. He’ll have to make the team first of course, but that shouldn’t be a problem at this stage of the offseason, and he could bring a lot of quiet value, especially for the pittance he signed for.

Veterans in a battle for a job

I could have called this slide, “new arms 2.0” or something, but that wouldn’t be entirely accurate. The reason being that the first pitcher I’ll mention here is John Axford, who played for the Blue Jays last season before he was eventually dealt to the Dodgers in August.

The Canadian right-hander is another pitcher with late inning experience, but he’s probably not going to factor into that part of the game in 2019 as long as the rest of the staff stays healthy. That said, he could definitely carve out an important role in the middle innings, and he could also be a candidate to be used as an “Opener” if the Blue Jays go that route.

The bottom line is, Axford wanted to return to Canada’s only team, and he signed a MiLB contract to do so. He likely could have sought an opportunity with a team that had more realistic designs on pushing for a playoff spot, but coming home was more important to him. You can’t help but like that.

The last veteran that I’d like to mention for now is Clayton Richard, who I see as being bumped to the bullpen to start the year. That will depend on the health of the rest of the starting pitchers of course, but right now the Blue Jays are set to role with Marcus Stroman, Aaron Sanchez, Matt Shoemaker, Clay Buchholz, and either Richard or Ryan Borucki. Based on the performance of the latter name and Richard’s experience in the bullpen, that’s the route I would go, especially because the Jays could use a second southpaw in the bullpen.

Richard may well end up in the rotation to start the year, or get moved there if an injury necessitates as much, but my guess is he starts the year hanging out in the ‘pen.

ST. PETERSBURG, FL – MAY 4: Tim Mayza #58 of the Toronto Blue Jays reacts after giving up a home run to Brad Miller #13 of the Tampa Bay Rays, rounding the bases in the background, in the eighth inning of a baseball game at Tropicana Field on May 4, 2018 in St. Petersburg, Florida. (Photo by Mike Carlson/Getty Images) /

Rounding things out

I mentioned in the previous slide that the Blue Jays could use another left-hander in their bullpen, and one could argue that they could even use a couple. Right now Tim Mayza heads the list of options, and while I’m more than comfortable seeing him earn a job out of Spring Training, he’s also relatively inexperienced.

He was pretty solid last year though, pitching to a 3.28 ERA in 37 appearances and 35.2 innings. He appears to have the raw ability to succeed at the highest level, and I’d be surprised if the Blue Jays didn’t give him every chance to earn the gig as their left-handed specialist. For now, it seems like it’s his job to lose.

That would give us seven relievers so far (Phelps will be out to start the year though), but of course it’s possible if not likely that the Blue Jays decide to roll with eight arms to start the year. The biggest reason for that would be the presence of 19 year old, Elvis Luciano, who was acquired from the Royals in the Rule 5 draft earlier this offseason. For those unfamiliar with the rules, Luciano has to stick with the big league team or else the Blue Jays have to offer him back to the Royals, who would surely be pleased to see a young asset return to their organization.

Atkins and and Montoyo have both heaped a fair amount of praise on the young man, and it looks like they’re serious about giving him a MLB opportunity, at least to start the year. Like when a player is out of minor league options, this definitely works in Luciano’s favour, and likely results in him getting the first chance in March/April.

NEW YORK, NY – AUGUST 17: Joe Biagini #31 of the Toronto Blue Jays looks on in the fifth inning against the New York Yankees at Yankee Stadium on August 17, 2018 in the Bronx borough of New York City. (Photo by Elsa/Getty Images) /

The best of the rest

With Phelps being on the shelf to start the year after Tommy John surgery, the Blue Jays are going to need more than what I’ve already listed, even if they decide to carry Luciano. Fortunately they should have plenty of options to help them round out the group.

Danny Barnes– The three year Blue Jay veteran was designated for assignment earlier this offseason, but he went unclaimed and will remain in Toronto. He had a rough season in 2018, but he’s shown the ability to perform at the highest level in the past, and I wouldn’t be surprised if he had a nice bounce back year.

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Joe Biagini– Now that the experiment with Biagini as a starter is finally over, perhaps he can regain some of the value he had as a reliever earlier in his career. He was very good in the role in 2016 as a rookie, pitching to a. 3.06 ERA in 67.2 innings, quickly becoming a fan favourite and earning the trust of then-manager, John Gibbons. He could very well start the year in Buffalo, but Biagini is going to get an opportunity to redeem himself at some point in 2019, and here’s hoping he can find the best version of his abilities when that opportunities comes up.

David Paulino– Another pitcher who could be used as either a starter or reliever, Paulino also arrived in the Roberto Osuna trade with Houston last year. He impressed in short stints with the Blue Jays last year, and is expected to compete for a spot in the bullpen this spring, if they don’t decide to use him as depth in the rotation instead.

Sam Gaviglio– Considering how important he ended up being for last year’s team, I admit that I feel a little bad about how frequently I forget about Gaviglio. The Blue Jays definitely needed the innings he provided last year, as he ended up making 24 starts and another two relief appearances. His 5.31 ERA isn’t pretty, but he was solid early on, and could server as either depth in the rotation again, or as a long man out of the bullpen.

I could continue, but I feel like the names mentioned so far will be the ones that fill out the bullpen by Opening Day. I don’t think that Atkins will sign anyone else, but you never know what can happen in a few weeks before the first pitch, or even early into the season. The bullpen is often the most volatile spot on any MLB roster, and don’t be surprised if we see a bit of a revolving door again in 2019 due to injuries, performance, roster space needs, and eventually the trade market.

Next. Bichette is letting his bat do the talking. dark

The good news though, is that the group that Atkins and company have assembled isn’t half bad at all. If we’re talking about a bullpen that eventually features Giles, Tepera, Mayza, Phelps, Norris, Richard, and Axford, I can see some real potential there, at least until the trade deadline comes along anyway. As much fun as it is to pick on the Blue Jays’ front office, they quietly did a decent job here.

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