Blue Jays may have to act fast if they want to keep Matt Shoemaker

According to industry sources, former Toronto Blue Jays pitcher Matt Shoemaker is generating interest from a number of teams including the Boston Red Sox.

The Blue Jays may have to act fast if they plan on keeping Matt Shoemaker in the fold for next season and beyond. Shoemaker is a free agent but appears to be drawing early interest from a number of clubs including their division rival.

Jon Morosi of Fox Sports is reporting that the Red Sox are one of the teams expressing initial interest in the right-hander. Shoemaker appears to have enjoyed his time in Toronto but there is no indication if there is mutual interest from both sides on a reunion.

The hurlers final appearance in a Blue Jays uniform may have also left a sour taste in his mouth following an early hook from skipper Charlie Montoyo during the wild card series versus the Tampa Bay Rays.

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The 34-year old made just 11 starts during his two-year tenure due to an assortment of injury woes. In 57.1 innings of work, he sported a respectable 3.14 earned run average while fanning 7.8 per nine while accumulating a 1.8 WAR.

Last season, the right-hander tossed 28.2 innings posting a 4.71 earned run average while surrendering eight homers in six starts. Shoemaker has spent his entire eight-year career between Los Angeles and Toronto pitching six seasons with the Angels before signing with the Jays.

Shoemaker earned $4.2 million last season but is due for a raise this offseason on the open market. The Jays have already agreed to bring Robbie Ray back on a one-year/ $8 million dollar deal for next season.

The free-agent class of pitchers is not overly deep this offseason so someone of Shoemaker’s ilk could be appealing to many teams who are seeking a serviceable veteran arm without forking over a king’s ransom.

We will presumably know in short order if Shoemaker is in the Blue Jays offseason plans if the Ray signing is any indication of their plan to attack their targets early.