Toronto Blue Jays: Players who will be on a short leash in 2021

TORONTO, ON - MARCH 28: Manager Charlie Montoyo #25 of the Toronto Blue Jays during pre-game lineup introductions on Opening Day before the start of MLB game action against the Detroit Tigers at Rogers Centre on March 28, 2019 in Toronto, Canada. (Photo by Tom Szczerbowski/Getty Images)
TORONTO, ON - MARCH 28: Manager Charlie Montoyo #25 of the Toronto Blue Jays during pre-game lineup introductions on Opening Day before the start of MLB game action against the Detroit Tigers at Rogers Centre on March 28, 2019 in Toronto, Canada. (Photo by Tom Szczerbowski/Getty Images) /
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MIAMI, FLORIDA – SEPTEMBER 01: Robbie Ray #38 of the Toronto Blue Jays delivers a pitch against the Miami Marlins at Marlins Park on September 01, 2020 in Miami, Florida. (Photo by Mark Brown/Getty Images)
MIAMI, FLORIDA – SEPTEMBER 01: Robbie Ray #38 of the Toronto Blue Jays delivers a pitch against the Miami Marlins at Marlins Park on September 01, 2020 in Miami, Florida. (Photo by Mark Brown/Getty Images) /

Robbie Ray

Robbie Ray falls into the same category as a few of the above starters although he has the potential and past track record to be a mid-rotation starter. The Blue Jays liked what they saw in his five games following the August trade from Arizona.

Ray inked a one-year/ $8 million dollar pact for the 2021 season after earning $9.43 million in 2020. In 12 games last season, Ray surrendered 38 earned runs including 13 homers, however, he produced a much improved 4.79 earned run average following the trade.

In the past, Ray had anchored the Diamondbacks pitching staff and was an All-Star in 2017 after going 15-5 with a 2.89 earned run average for Arizona. The hard-throwing southpaw also finished seventh in NL Cy Young voting that season.

Ray should have a longer leash than that of Roark or Matz, however, he did sport an awful 7.84 earned run average in seven starts for Arizona last season.

The Blue Jays are banking on his slow start being a one-off as they made it a priority to resign Ray early into free agency. Hopefully, the 29-year old can find his 2017 elixir and anchor the middle of the Blue Jays rotation in 2021.