Blue Jays: Three risky pitchers to consider signing this offseason
![PORT ST. LUCIE, FL - MARCH 08: Justin Verlander #35 of the Houston Astros in action against the New York Mets during a spring training baseball game at Clover Park on March 8, 2020 in Port St. Lucie, Florida. The Mets defeated the Astros 3-1. (Photo by Rich Schultz/Getty Images)](https://images2.minutemediacdn.com/image/upload/c_fill,w_752,ar_16:9,f_auto,q_auto,g_auto/shape/cover/sport/https-3A-2F-2Fjaysjournal-com-2Fwp-content-2Fuploads-2Fgetty-images-2F2017-2F07-2F1211249874-850x560-c8e3ac016808873330a00fb437fbb0b8.jpg)
![MINNEAPOLIS, MN – SEPTEMBER 26: Starting pitcher Alek Manoah #6 of the Toronto Blue Jays and catcher Danny Jansen #9 head to the dugout before the game against the Minnesota Twins at Target Field on September 26, 2021 in Minneapolis, Minnesota. (Photo by Stephen Maturen/Getty Images)](https://images2.minutemediacdn.com/image/upload/w_480/shape/cover/sport/https-3A-2F-2Fjaysjournal-com-2Fwp-content-2Fuploads-2Fgetty-images-2F2017-2F07-2F1343857302-850x560-63920b84b685b22b6b843f152169483a.jpg)
As of right now, the Blue Jays enter next season with three starters in the rotation and two spots that will need to be filled. Hyun Jin Ryu, Jose Berrios, and Alek Manoah will be in the starting five and with there being no guarantee Robbie Ray or Steven Matz return next season, the Jays will need to figure out who will take the last two spots.
They have a few internal options to consider if they are looking to save some money but if they want to try and improve upon this past season and make the playoffs, they made need to pony up some capital and look outside the organization for veteran talent.
That being said, there are a few pitchers hitting the open market who could draw the interest of the Blue Jays front office, some more established than others. There are also a few names on the free-agent board who come with some considerable risk, whether it be injury or inconsistency, that could be worth the potential gamble if the club feels like that player could be a fit with the club but also overcome whatever held them back and produce within the rotation. Some risks don’t pan out like the Kirby Yates deal while others can generate some serious rewards, like the one-year deal for Ray where he turned himself from a back-end rotation piece to a Cy-Young candidate in one season.
Don’t get me wrong, I don’t expect any free agent to come in and produce like Ray did this past season, but after the numerous bullpen games and the rotation of fringe starters the club through in for a start or two when the injury bug came crawling, having a veteran starter in the role could have been a difference-maker.
That being said, here are three pitchers the Blue Jays should consider looking into this offseason but come with some considerable risk.
![NEW YORK, NEW YORK – SEPTEMBER 28: Noah Syndergaard #34 of the New York Mets pitches during the first inning in game 2 of a double header against the Miami Marlins at Citi Field on September 28, 2021 in New York City. The Mets defeated the Marlins 2-1 in nine innings. (Photo by Jim McIsaac/Getty Images)](https://images2.minutemediacdn.com/image/upload/w_480/shape/cover/sport/https-3A-2F-2Fjaysjournal-com-2Fwp-content-2Fuploads-2Fgetty-images-2F2017-2F07-2F1343685085-850x560-e6529c3abf72cf96dafedfab11fc4c09.jpg)
Noah Syndergaard
Originally drafted in the first round of the 2010 MLB Draft by the Blue Jays, Noah Syndergaard was one of the top prospects in the organization before he was traded to the New York Mets as part of the package deal for R.A. Dickey during the 2012/2013 offseason.
Making his Major League debut in 2015, Syndergaard currently owns a 3.32 ERA through 120 starts (121 appearances total) with 777 strikeouts, 166 walks, and a 1.162 WHIP through 718.0 innings.
Heading to free agency for the first time in his career, the right-hander is in a peculiar spot given his injury history. He made only seven starts in 2017 due to a torn muscle in his throwing arm and recently missed a majority of the past two seasons after undergoing Tommy John surgery prior to the 2020 campaign. He made two starts at the end of the 2021 campaign, surrendering two earned runs through just 2.0 innings pitched.
Noah Syndergaard in his first extended public comments since March 2020:
— Anthony DiComo (@AnthonyDiComo) August 27, 2021
"I really haven't focused on free agency or where I'll be next year. I really can't imagine leaving New York or leaving the Mets." pic.twitter.com/C2jurD0ytc
When Syndergaard is healthy, he can be absolutely dominant on the mound, evident by his 3.32 career ERA. The issue is whether he can return from Tommy John surgery and find that groove that makes him such a strong pitcher and can he stay healthy for a majority of the season, especially since he won’t come with any type of discount.
Another wrinkle thrown into the mix is that the former Blue Jays prospect is eligible for a qualifying offer, a decision that will be coming soon for the Mets organization. I would imagine he will sign the offer if presented with the QO, meaning no team will be able to sign him and the Jays won’t even get a chance to bring Syndergaard back this offseason.
If he does get the QO and rejects it, the pros and cons will have to be weighed considering the club will lose a draft pick and he does have the health risk coming off the surgery.
![MINNEAPOLIS, MN – SEPTEMBER 23: Michael Pineda #35 of the Minnesota Twins celebrates against the Toronto Blue Jays on September 23, 2021 at Target Field in Minneapolis, Minnesota. (Photo by Brace Hemmelgarn/Minnesota Twins/Getty Images)](https://images2.minutemediacdn.com/image/upload/w_480/shape/cover/sport/https-3A-2F-2Fjaysjournal-com-2Fwp-content-2Fuploads-2Fgetty-images-2F2017-2F07-2F1347085986-850x560-a41da7835be0872e9d92d96703bb167e.jpg)
Michael Pineda
Hailing from the Dominican Republic, right-hander Michael Pineda is coming off a two-year, $20 million dollar deal he signed with the Minnesota Twins.
He originally began his Major League career with the Seattle Mariners back in 2011 but was traded to the New York Yankees during the 2011/2012 offseason, spending the next six years with the Bronx Bombers before signing with the Twins during the 2017/2018 offseason.
For his career, Pineda has accumulated a 3.98 ERA through 169 starts, striking out 940 batters through 962.0 innings with an 8.8 K/9 and a 1.190 WHIP. He was also part of an incident back in 2014 when he was ejected from his start against the Boston Red Sox when it was discovered he had pine tar on his neck, a sticky substance that helps pitchers get a better grip on the ball but is considered a banned substance on the mound (especially in today’s game).
Pineda makes this list because he has proven to be a dependable rotation arm when he is healthy, an issue he has struggled with for most of his career. He missed the entire 2012 campaign and a majority of the 2013 season after undergoing shoulder surgery and underwent Tommy John surgery midway through 2017, which eventually made him miss the entire 2018 campaign while he recovered.
The Toronto Blue Jays may have a few open spots in the rotation come Spring Training, with some high-risk, high-reward options potentially on the market this winter.
He did miss a chunk of the 2019 and 2020 seasons after being suspended by the league in September 2019 for using a diuretic that is banned due to its usage in masking performance-enhancing drugs, limiting him to just 26 starts between both campaigns (given last year was shortened due to COVID-19).
While the injury past is there and the suspension history present as well, Pineda has not slowed down since joining the Twins, posting a 3.80 ERA through three seasons and 52 starts with Minnesota, his 2021 numbers being some of the best of his career.
The risk associated with Pineda has less to do with the suspension history and more to do with whether he can stay healthy enough to contribute through a full season, as he has missed time on the injured list on five different occasions over the past three years.
A deal for Pineda has the potential to turn ugly similar to when the club signed Tanner Roark but could also produce a low-cost back-end starter that provides upside over the Blue Jays internal options, especially if he can pitch to a sub-4.00 ERA like he did last season.
Proceed with caution.
![PORT ST. LUCIE, FL – MARCH 08: Justin Verlander #35 of the Houston Astros in action against the New York Mets during a spring training baseball game at Clover Park on March 8, 2020 in Port St. Lucie, Florida. The Mets defeated the Astros 3-1. (Photo by Rich Schultz/Getty Images)](https://images2.minutemediacdn.com/image/upload/w_480/shape/cover/sport/https-3A-2F-2Fjaysjournal-com-2Fwp-content-2Fuploads-2Fgetty-images-2F2017-2F07-2F1216190234-850x560-f22ae997f944954d9c329f212bf7b9e3.jpg)
Justin Verlander
One of the game’s top pitchers since his debut with the Detroit Tigers back in 2005, Justin Verlander heads to free agency this offseason and similar to Syndergaard, sits in a pretty peculiar situation.
For starters, Verlander has been absolutely dominant for his career, sporting a 3.33 ERA through 454 starts and 2988.0 innings with 3013 strikeouts, a 9.1 K/9, and a 1.134 WHIP. He also has a World Series Championship to his name (depending on who you ask) while also boasting a Rookie of the Year award, two Cy Young awards, eight all-star appearances, three no-hitters, and the pitcher’s version of the Triple Crown back in 2011.
He has only appeared in one game over the past two seasons after undergoing Tommy John surgery during the 2020 season and did not pitch at all this past season.
Justin Verlander on free agency: “It’s kind of fun thinking about having teams battle for you.” My column: http://t.co/7eH6q7h6 @MLBONFOX
— Jon Morosi (@jonmorosi) February 13, 2013
Coming off a two-year, $66 million dollar he signed with the Houston Astros, Verlander heads to free agency and will be eligible for a qualifying offer, something the Astros organization appears ready to extend to the veteran right-hander.
Many would think that Verlander would be wise to accept the offer given the recent injury but if he does end up a free agent for the first time in his career, regardless of declining the offer or not being offered one, he will have his fair share of suitors. He has been moved by the notion of becoming a free agent before and given how late in his career he currently sits, now is a better time than ever to explore that opportunity.
Considering he did undergo major surgery and will be turning 39 early next year, there is some risk that the right-hander will not be the same pitcher fans are used to seeing and will command some significant salary even in a short-term deal scenario. The Jays should have some payroll flexibility to go after a Verlander type pitcher without impacting the potential future extensions of the young core, as long as the deal doesn’t go past two years, the risk is more associated with whether Verlander can return to being the dominant pitcher he once was or whether he will struggle after being away for almost two full seasons.
Next. Blue Jays favoured to sign one top international prospect this winter. dark
If he does end up a free agent this offseason, the Blue Jays could risk a one or two-year deal on the right-hander, especially if Ray and Matz don’t return next season, as a veteran arm with his history could be dominant alongside Manoah, Ryu, and Berrios both on and off the mound.