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Every Single 2020 Free Agent the Blue Jays could be Interested in

By Reuben Gasee

TORONTO, ON - OCTOBER 29: General manager Ross Atkins of the Toronto Blue Jays poses with new manager Charlie Montoyo who was introduced to members of the media and president Mark Shapiro on October 29, 2018 in Toronto, Canada. (Photo by Tom Szczerbowski/Getty Images)
TORONTO, ON - OCTOBER 29: General manager Ross Atkins of the Toronto Blue Jays poses with new manager Charlie Montoyo who was introduced to members of the media and president Mark Shapiro on October 29, 2018 in Toronto, Canada. (Photo by Tom Szczerbowski/Getty Images) /
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SAN DIEGO, CALIFORNIA – OCTOBER 06: J.A. Happ #33 of the New York Yankees delivers the pitch against the Tampa Bay Rays during the second inning in Game Two of the American League Division Series at PETCO Park on October 06, 2020 in San Diego, California. (Photo by Sean M. Haffey/Getty Images)
SAN DIEGO, CALIFORNIA – OCTOBER 06: J.A. Happ #33 of the New York Yankees delivers the pitch against the Tampa Bay Rays during the second inning in Game Two of the American League Division Series at PETCO Park on October 06, 2020 in San Diego, California. (Photo by Sean M. Haffey/Getty Images) /

J.A. Happ

The name J.A. Happ is most likely very familiar among Blue Jays fans as he pitched for the franchise in two seperate stints.

His first stint was from mid-season 2012-2014. He combined for a record of 19-20 along with an ERA of 4.39 in his first go-around with 256 strikeouts compared to 286 hits given up over 291 innings pitched.

His second stint in Toronto was much better. It lasted from 2016 to mid-season 2018 in which he was traded away at the deadline to the Yankees. In his second stint, he went 40-21 with 435 strikeouts compared to 412 hits given up in 455 innings pitched. He earned an All-Star berth in a Blue Jays uniform in the 2018 season.

As he was a free agent at the conclusion of 2018, he re-signed with the Yankees on a two-year deal with a vesting option for the 2021 season which since he became an unrestricted free agent, ultimately wasn’t picked up.

In 2019 and 2020 combined, he went 14-10 with a 4.57 ERA over 210.2 innings pitched, struck out 182 batters over 197 hits given up. In that span, he also gave up 42 home runs and 64 free passes.

The Blue Jays have been linked to Happ as they’ve expressed interest in brining him back to Toronto for a third time.

Jays Journal’s other site expert, Clayton Richer, wrote a piece taking about how he really hopes that the thought of signing the lefty a third time isn’t “HAPPening”

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