Blue Jays: Matt Shoemaker hopeful to remain in Toronto long term

Toronto Blue Jays pitcher Matt Shoemaker recently publicly expressed his desire to remain in Toronto and possibly for the long term.

Matt Shoemaker suffered a season-ending ACL injury after making just five starts for the Blue Jays this season. The 32-year old was 3-0 with an impressive 1.57 earned run average having allowed just five runs in 28.2 innings of work when he was dealt the injury blow.

Shoemaker is arbitration-eligible after earning $3.5 million this past season and not see to hit free agency until 2021. The hurler recently advised that his camp and the Blue Jays have had small discussions about his future and that he would like to remain in Toronto long term.

“We’ve had some small discussion showing my interest. To be completely honest with you, I’d like to be here and I’d like to be here long term.”

Shoemaker is a viable option when healthy, the pitcher has battled an assortment of injuries having made just 26 starts over the last three seasons between Toronto and Los Angeles. He sports a career 43-32 record with a respectable 3.81earned run average and 7.1 WAR in 106 games.

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The Blue Jays are starving for starting pitching especially someone with a little veteran presence. The team has used 20 different starters thus far this season which is tied for the second-most in MLB history.

With Marcus Stroman and Aaron Sanchez now out of the picture, the 2020 rotation is still up in the air, however, Shoemaker could be a steadying presence for the young club. The team figures to have Ryan Borucki back along with possibly the likes of Trent Thornton, Anthony Kay, and Jacob Waguespack making starts out of the gate.

Nate Pearson will make his debut once his service time is no longer an issue much like the front office did with Vladimir Guerrero Jr.

So keeping Shoemaker in the fold makes sense for both parties especially seeing the hurler wants to remain north of the border.