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Jays Journal

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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CLEVELAND, OHIO – SEPTEMBER 30: Closing pitcher Brad Hand #33 of the Cleveland Indians pitches during the ninth inning of Game Two of the American League Wild Card Series against the New York Yankees at Progressive Field on September 30, 2020 in Cleveland, Ohio. The Yankees defeated the Indians 10-9. (Photo by Jason Miller/Getty Images)
CLEVELAND, OHIO – SEPTEMBER 30: Closing pitcher Brad Hand #33 of the Cleveland Indians pitches during the ninth inning of Game Two of the American League Wild Card Series against the New York Yankees at Progressive Field on September 30, 2020 in Cleveland, Ohio. The Yankees defeated the Indians 10-9. (Photo by Jason Miller/Getty Images) /

Brad Hand

To see how the pandemic has been effecting teams financially, look no further than the situation involving Brad Hand and Cleveland.

Hand had a great 2020 season leading the major leagues in saves with 16 posting a 2.05 ERA and an opponent average of .169 in 21 appearances. He also didn’t blow a single save opportunity. Yet, he got his $10 million option for the 2021 season declined.

While Cleveland is a small market team that typically doesn’t spend lots of money, Hand had a very reasonable price tag of $10 million with his performance in the shortened 2020 season. Declining it shows how teams will be crying poor this offseason due to the pandemic, which resulted in no gate revenue or profits coming in.

Since he signed with the Padres in 2016, Hand has been a dominant reliever which saw him make it to three consecutive All-Star games, recording 104 saves and compiling an ERA of 2.70 over that span.

In his career, he has 105 saves in 128 chances which equates to a conversion rate of 82%.

The Blue Jays are looking for a left-handed reliever to add to their bullpen and Hand fits that description as he is a lefty. The Blue Jays have already been linked to Hand and he would be an amazing addition to the backend of the bullpen. He would become the de facto closer if he were to sign with the Blue Jays.

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