Blue Jays reportedly have interest in Josh Lindblom

According to Ben Nicholson-Smith of Sportsnet, the Toronto Blue Jays have interest in pitcher Josh Lindblom who has pitched the past three seasons in Korea.

It is being reported by Ken Rosenthal of The Athletic that Josh Lindblom intends to be present at the Winter Meetings and make a decision on his next potential landing spot before the conclusion of the meetings on December 12th. The Blue Jays are said to have interest in the 32-year old right-hander following a season where he dominated the Korean Baseball Organization.

Lindblom went 20-3 with a 2.50 earned run average including an 8.7 SO/9 rate in 30 starts last season for the Doosan Bears. The former Pirates hurler bested his 2018 output where he went 15-4 with a 2.88 earned run average in 26 starts.

MLB Trade Rumors projected that Lindblom would earn in the neighborhood of $8 million on a two-year pact this offseason and forecasted him going to the Astros.

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Lindblom was a 2nd round selection of the Los Angeles Dodgers in 2008 and pitched in the majors for the Dodgers, Phillies, Rangers, Athletics, and Pirates over parts of five seasons. The 32-year old last appeared in the majors in 2017 making four relief appearances for Pittsburgh.

The right-hander sports a career 5-8 record with a 4.10 earned run average in 114 MLB games that included six starts. Lindblom owns an 8.0 SO/9 rate with one save and a 1.0 WAR in 147 innings in the majors.

The Blue Jays are desperate for starting pitching which could make Lindblom a worthy low-risk/ high-reward candidate if he can replicate his past two seasons abroad. The team is said to be also kicking the tires around free-agent pitcher Zack Wheeler but his asking price may soon be outside their comfort level as it is anticipated he will sign for somewhere north of $100 million.

If Ross Atkins can land Lindblom for around $4 million per season, the potential reward would outweigh the inherent risk making him a worthy expenditure and decent depth piece for 2020.