Blue Jays need to refocus after missing out on pitching targets

The Toronto Blue Jays need to refocus and shift their attention elsewhere after missing out on the first group of free-agent pitching targets.

The Blue Jays were banking on signing some of the available second-tier pitchers from the free-agent crop as the high profile big guns were out of their league. It appeared the team planned to remedy their starting pitching void with the likes of Jake Odorizzi and Kyle Gibson.

Unfortunately, the Blue Jays were unsuccessful in swaying neither pitcher north of the border as Odorizzi eventually accepted his qualifying offer and Gibson soaked the Rangers for a 3 year/ $30 million dollar commitment.

The brain trust has a ton of financial flexibility to play with this offseason, however, judging by the initial moves they are not prepared to overpay to land their desired target. This could become problematic when Ross Atkins is forced to dumpster dive and look for reclamation projects once again.

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Thus far Odorizzi, Gibson, Drew Pomeranz, Adam Wainwright Will Smith, Chris Martin, and Carl Edwards Jr. have all inked new deals. With Gerrit Cole and Stephen Strasburg being essentially pipe dreams that will never come to fruition, Atkins must once again search through the second-tier of arms to solidify his staff.

Dallas Keuchel, Michael Pineda, Julio Teheran, and Alex Wood all remain still available along with Zack Wheeler who could be a nice addition. Wheeler would be an overpay but he would instantly become the team ace and make the rotation much better.

The Jays still have yet to hammer out anything official with Matt Shoemaker but it appears he will be back in the fold once the two sides can reach some common ground. The addition of Chase Anderson will add some depth to the rotation but they still need a front of the rotation arm who can eat some innings.

There is still plenty of time and talent available but the brain trust should act sooner than later if they plan on making the team better through free agency.