Toronto Blue Jays: Marcus Semien- At what expense?

The Toronto Blue Jays inked slugger Marcus Semien to a one-year/ $18 million dollar pact earlier this offseason but at what expense?

The Blue Jays have thus far failed to address their starting rotation concern and the funds earmarked for Semien may have been better spent elsewhere. In light of the New York Mets signing Taijuan Walker to a 2-year/$20 million dollar deal, essentially one-year of Semien could have been two years of Walker.

Semien is a great signing and could put the offence over the top if he rebounds from a disappointing 2020 campaign, however, he may be more of a luxury than a necessity. Starting pitching is undoubtedly a necessity.

The 30-year old hit .223/.305/.374 with seven home runs in 53 games last season, although he did put up MVP caliber numbers in 2019 and is reportedly is a great clubhouse guy and leader on and off the field.

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All you have to do is compare the Blue Jays projected rotation with the likes of the Padres, Dodgers and Mets to soon realize Toronto could be in trouble. Names like Tanner Roark, Steven Matz and Robbie Ray unfortunately don’t bode much confidence or intimidate many opposing lineups.

Time and time again, pitching wins ball games, look at the past World Series winners and stack their rotations next to the Jays. It is not even close. The Blue Jays DO NOT have a postseason worthy rotation, no matter how you slice it.

This could be all for not if the brain trust ink Jake Odorizzi who is arguably the best remaining free agent on the open market but by all accounts the team appears to be maxed out financially. Odorizzi coupled with Hyun Jin Ryu and Nate Pearson change the complexion of the rotation drastically.

I understand that Ross Atkins had a great offseason adding George Springer but he failed to address the glaring issue that was the teams Achilles Heel in 2020 and will cost him dearly in 2021.

I am usually a “Glass Half Full” kind of guy but unfortunately this rotation has the “Glass Half Empty”.