The Blue Jays head into the offseason with several questions around who will be in their lineup come the start of the 2022 MLB campaign. The starting rotation has the biggest question marks going into the upcoming season, as the club primarily used six different starters during this past season, and two of them will likely hit free agency.
The most documented pitcher to become a free agent is Robbie Ray, who appears to be the front runner for the AL Cy Young Award winner. Jon Heyman reported Saturday night that the Blue Jays give him and Marcus Semien qualifying offers, which I believe both will turn down for a contract closer to the nine figure area. By the club giving him the qualifying offer, they will receive a compensation pick in next year’s draft if they should sign with another team. Heyman also recently predicted on MLB Network that Ray would sign with the New York Yankees, however, he could see one of Semien or Ray returning to the Blue Jays.
Heyman reported Saturday night as well that the Blue Jays were not going to tender a qualifying offer to Steven Matz who will be turning 31 early in next season. He is coming off a career year that saw post a 14-7 record with a 3.82 ERA, but he would not be worth the $18.4 million contract. It was reported that the Blue Jays offered him a multi-year deal that he turned down.
So with those two pitchers gone, what does the rotation look like at this time?