Toronto Blue Jays could definitely afford Trevor Bauer

The Toronto Blue Jays will once again attempt to shore up their starting rotation this offseason and free agent Trevor Bauer could be in the budget.

Trevor Bauer is an interesting free agent who could just peak the Blue Jays interest for a number of reasons. Firstly, the hurler operates on a year-to-year basis inking only one-year terms which would presumably appeal to Ross Atkins and company.

The 29-year old at times has shown flashes of brilliance and has the skillset to arguably be one of the best pitchers in the game. In 2020, Bauer posted an impeccable 1.73 earned run average with a 12.3 SO/9 rate in 11 starts with the Reds.

In nine MLB seasons, Bauer is 75-64 with a 3.90 earned run average and a career 17.6 WAR in 205 games with the Diamondbacks, Indians, and Reds.

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Bauer earned $17.5 million this past season and although he is in line for a raise, the Blue Jays could do some reshuffling to make it happen. First off, Chase Anderson has a team option for $9.5 million next season, an obvious buyout candidate to free up some capital.

The kicker would be if Atkins could find someone to take Tanner Roark and his $12 million owing for 2021 off his hands. As well, closer Ken Giles and his $9.6 million is also coming off the books. That would essentially free up the desired cash to ink Bauer for a season.

Even if the Blue Jays had to overpay, Bauer positioned between Hyun Jin Ryu and Nate Pearson in the rotation next season would afford them one of the best rotations in the majors.

With Bauer, you also get the added bonus of one of the biggest personalities in the game. The hurler has made it his calling to antagonize the Houston Astros and question their intestinal fortitude any chance he gets. He also rocked attempted to rock a pair of Joe Kelly cleats following his dust-up with the Astros, the league eventually intervened preventing him from sporting the Kelly cleats in a game.

The Blue Jays need to upgrade their staff and Bauer could be just what the doctor ordered and I mean who wouldn’t want to spend a summer in Canada.