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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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LOS ANGELES, CALIFORNIA – OCTOBER 07: Liam Hendriks #16 of the Oakland Athletics celebrates a 9-7 win against the Houston Astros in Game Three of the American League Division Series at Dodger Stadium on October 07, 2020 in Los Angeles, California. (Photo by Kevork Djansezian/Getty Images)
LOS ANGELES, CALIFORNIA – OCTOBER 07: Liam Hendriks #16 of the Oakland Athletics celebrates a 9-7 win against the Houston Astros in Game Three of the American League Division Series at Dodger Stadium on October 07, 2020 in Los Angeles, California. (Photo by Kevork Djansezian/Getty Images) /

Liam Hendriks

Liam Hendriks blossomed into the top tier reliever he is today last season when he took over the closer’s role for the Athletics. He would never have been in Oakland if it wasn’t for the Blue Jays who traded him there after the 2015 season.

In his lone season with the Blue Jays, he actually did fairly well going 5-0 in 58 games with a 2.92 ERA and 71 strikeouts in 64.2 innings while only walking 11.

When he first donned an Athletics jersey, he wasn’t a standout releiver, as he was simply a relief pitcher who the A’s could rely on to eat up some innings and play some quality baseball.

Once he was given the closer’s role though in 2019, he became an elite reliever. The 2019 season saw him post a 1.80 ERA over 75 games with 25 saves in 32 opportunities. He struck out a whopping 124 batters compared to 61 hits given up in 85 innings for an opponent average of .201.

In the shortened season, he pitched in 40% of the games (24 of 60) with a 1.78 ERA and converting all but one save (14 for 15). He also posted a very good opponent average of .161 which saw him give up 14 hits with 37 strikeouts over 25.1 innings pitched.

The Blue Jays could aim to seek a reunion with the Australian to add him to the back end of their bullpen to close out games, although for longer than a year in this case.

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