Blue Jays: The biggest disappointments of the 2019 season (so far)

Aaron Sanchez’s health

Counting on Aaron Sanchez to make 30 or more starts this season would have been foolish, but we were allowed to believe that it was still possible.

To his credit, Sanchez has battled with more blister and fingernail issues on his pitching hand again this season, but at least it hasn’t landed him on the injured list just yet. He did have to be removed early from a couple of starts last month, but somehow the time off between his turns in the rotation was just enough to help him get ready.

The story isn’t much different than it’s been for a couple of years already. Sanchez has top of the rotation type of stuff, but he just can’t stay healthy long enough to put things together. He hasn’t been bad this season by any means, but it doesn’t take a refined scouting eye to see there is a lot more potential in that right arm if only his body would cooperate.

Now that we’re inside seven weeks before the July 31st trade deadline, there is going to be a lot of focus on Sanchez’s health and what the Blue Jays plan to do with him for the long term. I would be genuinely surprised if there was any discussion around a contract extension, as it’s far more likely the Blue Jays shop him on the trade market this summer. He won’t be a free agent until after the 2020 season, which adds to his value, but it’s that precarious health that will keep the Blue Jays from getting the type of haul they would have if he was still performing as he did back in 2016.

That said, it only takes one believer to overpay for his services, and if he can stay healthy and perform well before the calendar flips to August, maybe the Blue Jays can still get a solid return for the California native. For all of the frustration that the two sides have been together over the last couple of seasons, here’s hoping he can do just that.