Jays Journal
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Toronto Blue Jays 2016 ALCS Roster: Where are they now?

By Tyson Shushkewich

TORONTO, ON - OCTOBER 09: Josh Donaldson #20 of the Toronto Blue Jays is congratulated by Troy Tulowitzki #2 after scoring the game-winning run as Kevin Pillar #11 runs while celebrating in the tenth inning during MLB game action against the Texas Rangers in game three of the American League Division Series at Rogers Centre on October 9, 2016 in Toronto, Canada. (Photo by Tom Szczerbowski/Getty Images)
TORONTO, ON - OCTOBER 09: Josh Donaldson #20 of the Toronto Blue Jays is congratulated by Troy Tulowitzki #2 after scoring the game-winning run as Kevin Pillar #11 runs while celebrating in the tenth inning during MLB game action against the Texas Rangers in game three of the American League Division Series at Rogers Centre on October 9, 2016 in Toronto, Canada. (Photo by Tom Szczerbowski/Getty Images) /
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CLEVELAND, OH – OCTOBER 14: J.A. Happ #33 of the Toronto Blue Jays throws a pitch in the first inning against the Cleveland Indians during game two of the American League Championship Series at Progressive Field on October 15, 2016 in Cleveland, Ohio. (Photo by Gene Puskar – Pool/Getty Images)
CLEVELAND, OH – OCTOBER 14: J.A. Happ #33 of the Toronto Blue Jays throws a pitch in the first inning against the Cleveland Indians during game two of the American League Championship Series at Progressive Field on October 15, 2016 in Cleveland, Ohio. (Photo by Gene Puskar – Pool/Getty Images) /

J.A. Happ

2016 Stats: 32 games started; 3.18 ERA; 1.169 WHIP; 163 strikeouts

2016 ALCS Playoff Stats: 1 game started; 3.60 ERA; 1.000 WHIP; 4 strikeouts

2020 Stats: 9 games started; 3.47 ERA; 1.295 WHIP; 42 strikeouts

In his second stint with the Toronto Blue Jays, J.A. Happ had a fantastic 2016 season for the team. Leading the Blue Jays in wins at 20, Happ would also tie Stroman for games started at 32 and finish sixth in Cy Young voting within the American League. The left-hander would pitch well in the 2016 playoffs, winning his ALDS start and losing his ALCS start, giving up only two runs while the Blue Jays could only muster one run in support.

Happ would be traded in 2018 to the New York Yankees, where he has spent the past two seasons. The Yankees would decline his vesting option this off-season and Happ is now currently a free agent.

Aaron Sanchez

2016 Stats: 30 games started; 3.00 ERA; 1.167 WHIP; 161 strikeouts

2016 ALCS Playoff Stats: 1 game started; 1.50 ERA; 0.667 WHIP; 5 strikeouts

2020 Stats: N/A

Another top pitching prospect in the Blue Jays organization at the time, Aaron Sanchez had a breakout year in 2016. Leading the American League with the lowest starting pitcher ERA at 3.00, Sanchez would represent the team at the all-star game and finish in seventh for the Cy-Young award. Sanchez would win the only game for the Blue Jays in the ALCS, going 6.0 innings and giving up only one earned run as the team erupted for five runs against the Cleveland Indians.

Sanchez would be traded at the 2019 deadline to the Houston Astros, where he would immediately contribute to a combined no-hitter just days after joining the team. The Astros would non-tender the right-hander at the end of the 2019 season as Sanchez was set to undergo shoulder surgery that was expected to keep him sidelined for a considerable amount of the 2020 season. He is currently a free agent.

Francisco Liriano

2016 Stats (only Blue Jays stats): 8 games started (10 appearances); 2.92 ERA; 1.176 WHIP; 52 strikeouts

2016 ALCS Playoff Stats: N/A

2020 Stats: N/A

Traded to the Toronto Blue Jays from the Pittsburgh Pirates as a salary dump, Francisco Liriano was a veteran piece added to the roster to help with the playoff run. Liriano would pitch eight games in the rotation and two more games out of the bullpen, pitching 49.1 innings and going 2-2. Liriano would take a line drive off the head during his appearance in the ALDS against the Texas Rangers, and while he would be added to the ALCS roster, he would not make an appearance.

Liriano would eventually be traded to the Houston Astros in 2017 and would bounce to the Detroit Tigers and back to Pittsburgh before signing a minor league deal with the Philadelphia Phillies for the 2020 season. He would opt out before the start of the 2020 campaign due to the coronavirus but wants to continue playing in 2021.