Blue Jays: Which free agent would you re-sign?

The Toronto Blue Jays have a handful of pending free agents who could find work elsewhere next season, however, which player would you like to see the team make a cognizant effort to re-sign?

The likes of Taijuan Walker, Robbie Ray, Jonathan Villar, Joe Panik, Ken Giles, Matt Shoemaker, and Anthony Bass could all be wearing a different uniform next season. Which of the above-mentioned players could bode well for the Blue Jays to bring back for the 2021 campaign?

The brain trust will also have to make a decision on pitchers Chase Anderson who has a $9.5 million dollar team option and Rafael Dolis who is a no-brainer for a re-up at a cost-effective $1.5 million for 2021.

For me, Walker would be the obvious choice although it is unknown if the interest on his end to return would be reciprocated. There was a rumour that the Seattle Mariners were interested in bringing back Walker for a third time following the trade to Toronto.

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Walker earned a modest $2 million last season and will presumably be in line for a large raise following an impressive 2020 effort. The 28-year old sported a 2.70 earned run average in 11 starts including a 1.37 earned run average following the trade.

Shoemaker will also test free agency this offseason and seems to embrace the culture of the team. He seems like a good candidate to return unless he will be searching for a Manager who will allow him to pitch past the third inning in a playoff game. The 34-year old ended with a 4.71 earned run average in six starts this season.

It is probably a foregone conclusion that closer Ken Giles will not be back in the fold moving forward. Giles underwent Tommy John surgery a few weeks ago and is tabbed to miss the entire 2021 season.

Robbie Ray could be an option that interests the Blue Jays and may come somewhat cheaper than Walker. The 29-year old pitched much better following the trade and could be a serviceable swingman pitching either out of the bullpen or the rotation. Ray earned $9.43 million in the final year of his deal with Arizona and Toronto.

It is safe to assume Jonathan Villar will not return next season after hitting just .188 in 22 games with the Jays. Villar was also visibly upset when pinch-hit for in Game One of the Wild Card series with Tampa Bay.

Bass and Panik could both return and could be options that don’t necessarily break the bank although Bass should qualify for a raise over the $1.5 million he earned last season. Bass was impressive in 26 games compiling a tide 3.51 earned run average that included seven saves.

At the end of the day, it would be a win for Ross Atkins and company if they could ink both Walker and Bass for a re-do in 2021.