Toronto Blue Jays: Five players on the roster bubble for next season

Anthony Kay – LHP

Drafted by the New York Mets in the first round of the 2016 MLB Draft, left-hander Anthony Kay was traded to the Blue Jays as part of the Marcus Stroman deal in 2019, heading to Toronto’s minor league system alongside fellow prospect Simeon Woods-Richardson.

Fast forward to the end of the 2021 campaign, Kay is the only one left standing in the Jays organization and while he has a handful of appearances at the big league level, he has yet to fully cement a spot on the active roster. SWR was traded to the Minnesota Twins this past trade deadline and Stroman keeps stoking the fire on a potential return, which is most likely not happening but something to think about if you like chaos.

As a big leaguer, the New York product sports a 5.50 ERA through 27 appearances with seven starts, striking out 74 batters with a 1.631 WHIP. He has been riding the options bus over the past two seasons and this past campaign was one he would most likely want to forget, as he pitched to an 8.89 ERA through eight starts in Buffalo as well as two separate stints on the IL.

One thing I will mention is that Kay did get the short end of the stick on a few occasions, considering the Blue Jays kept having him start in Buffalo and then use him in both the starter and relief roles in the majors, which must have been tough considering starters usually need to find a rhythm and get stretched out properly.

The front office should just decide to keep him in either one role or the other, with a move to the bullpen being the most likely given the club has other veteran starters who will most likely edge him out for any remaining rotation spot(s).

If Kay does indeed move into a relief role, he could find himself on the radar to make the bullpen come Opening Day with a solid Spring Training.