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Blue Jays: Four players who may be off the 40-man roster come spring

By Tyson Shushkewich

ANAHEIM, CA - AUGUST 10: Reese McGuire #7 of the Toronto Blue Jays in action during the game against the Los Angeles Angels at Angel Stadium on August 10, 2021 in Anaheim, California. The Angels defeated the Blue Jays 6-3. (Photo by Rob Leiter/MLB Photos via Getty Images)
ANAHEIM, CA - AUGUST 10: Reese McGuire #7 of the Toronto Blue Jays in action during the game against the Los Angeles Angels at Angel Stadium on August 10, 2021 in Anaheim, California. The Angels defeated the Blue Jays 6-3. (Photo by Rob Leiter/MLB Photos via Getty Images) /
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Blue Jays
BALTIMORE, MD – SEPTEMBER 12: Trent Thornton #57 of the Toronto Blue Jays pitches during a baseball game against the Baltimore Orioles at Oriole Park at Camden Yards on September 12, 2021 in Baltimore, Maryland. (Photo by Mitchell Layton/Getty Images) /

Trent Thornton

While Trent Thornton was a workhorse for the club back in 2019, the tides have turned for the former Houston Astros prospect as he has struggled to find a rhythm in the Major Leagues since his rookie season.

Joining the Jays during the 2018/2019 offseason in exchange for infielder Aledmys Diaz with the Astros, Thornton was the innings-eater the organization needed in 2019, starting 29 games through 32 appearances and pitching 154.1 innings on his way to a 4.84 ERA with 149 strikeouts and a 1.41 WHIP. While the numbers are not eye-popping, Thornton was healthy and was able to pitch deep enough into games and was able to give the bullpen some time off during a season that saw the last remaining veteran players from the 2015-2016 playoff squad head out of town (minus Justin Smoak, he was around til the end of that season).

https://twitter.com/astros/status/1063828209848983553

Since then, the right-hander has battled injuries and has struggled on the mound, appearing in just three games in 2020 while riding the options bus this past campaign, eventually finishing with 37 outings and throwing to a 4.78 ERA.

For the first time in his career, Thornton is eligible for arbitration this offseason, with MLB Trade Rumours predicting a $900,000 salary for the North Carolina product after the past few seasons he has put together with the Blue Jays. There is a possibility that the club could non-tender Thornton if they value the open roster spot instead of spending the $900K but given the low salary he would require, it is more likely he receives a contract offer this winter.

He does have two minor league options available and could keep riding the line between both AAA and the MLB but don’t be surprised if the Jays DFA him to open a spot on the roster, although this will likely only happen if the club gets tight on space come Spring Training. I would say the chances of Thornton being DFA’d are low but not low enough that he is the “safe zone” if you will.

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