Toronto Blue Jays pending UFA’s: Re-sign or pass

TORONTO, CANADA - DECEMBER 4: President Mark Shapiro and Ross Atkins pose for a photo after speaking to the media as Atkins is introduced as the new general manager of the Toronto Blue Jays during a press conference on December 4, 2015 at Rogers Centre in Toronto, Ontario, Canada. (Photo by Tom Szczerbowski/Getty Images)
TORONTO, CANADA - DECEMBER 4: President Mark Shapiro and Ross Atkins pose for a photo after speaking to the media as Atkins is introduced as the new general manager of the Toronto Blue Jays during a press conference on December 4, 2015 at Rogers Centre in Toronto, Ontario, Canada. (Photo by Tom Szczerbowski/Getty Images) /
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BUFFALO, NY – SEPTEMBER 24: Anthony Bass #52 of the Toronto Blue Jays throws a pitch against the New York Yankees at Sahlen Field on September 24, 2020 in Buffalo, New York. The Blue Jays are the home team due to the Canadian government”u2019s policy on COVID-19, which prevents them from playing in their home stadium in Canada. Blue Jays beat the Yankees 4 to 1. (Photo by Timothy T Ludwig/Getty Images)
BUFFALO, NY – SEPTEMBER 24: Anthony Bass #52 of the Toronto Blue Jays throws a pitch against the New York Yankees at Sahlen Field on September 24, 2020 in Buffalo, New York. The Blue Jays are the home team due to the Canadian government”u2019s policy on COVID-19, which prevents them from playing in their home stadium in Canada. Blue Jays beat the Yankees 4 to 1. (Photo by Timothy T Ludwig/Getty Images) /

Anthony Bass

Anthony Bass was plucked off waivers a year ago after he was let go by the Seattle Mariners. When the Blue Jays brought him in, they gave him a one-year, $1.5 million deal.

With the Blue Jays, he appeared in 26 games posting a 3.51 E.R.A. with an opponent average of .189 in 25.2 innings. He also recorded seven saves when he was at a time, inserted into the closer’s role. He blew two saves and got four holds.

Bass is a pitcher who rarely relies on his fastball as he’s more of a sinkerball pitcher while mixing in a slider. In fact, he only threw one fastball all season. This is effective in keeping the ball in the yard as he only gave up two home runs in the 2020 season.

In his career, he’s appeared in 217 games which he holds a 4.32 E.R.A. with an opponent average of .253 over 373 innings pitched.

So, should the Blue Jays re-sign or pass on Bass?

Verdict: Re-sign 

Bass did really well in a Blue Jays uniform that the front office should attempt to re-sign him. While relievers are very volatile in regards to year-to-year performance, Bass seems like a good bet to carry on from his success.

In 2019, he posted a 3.56 E.R.A. with an opponent average of .179 over 44 games. This shows that he can put up good back-to-back years.

Bass is someone that can be relied on, especially late in the game and in tight situations. A deal for Bass could be something like two years, $8 million.