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How can the Blue Jays improve their bullpen?

By Josh Goldberg

Aug 21, 2020; St. Petersburg, Florida, USA; Members of the Toronto Blue Jays bullpen celebrate an out at home during the first inning of a game against the Tampa Bay Rays at Tropicana Field. Mandatory Credit: Mary Holt-USA TODAY Sports
Aug 21, 2020; St. Petersburg, Florida, USA; Members of the Toronto Blue Jays bullpen celebrate an out at home during the first inning of a game against the Tampa Bay Rays at Tropicana Field. Mandatory Credit: Mary Holt-USA TODAY Sports /
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ST PETERSBURG, FLORIDA – OCTOBER 08: Collin McHugh #31 of the Tampa Bay Rays pitches in the fourth inning against the Boston Red Sox during Game 2 of the American League Division Series at Tropicana Field on October 08, 2021 in St Petersburg, Florida. (Photo by Douglas P. DeFelice/Getty Images) /

Relievers Who Know the AL East

Collin McHugh

In addition to being a tremendous reliever, Collin McHugh has emerged as one of baseball’s very best Twitter follows.

McHugh has a very analytically driven approach to pitching as he’s experimented with different pitches over the past few seasons and in 2021 he only threw his fastball about 11% of the time while throwing his slider nearly 53% of the time and his cutter 33% of the time.

This different mix led to a tremendous season with a career-low 1.55 ERA as well as the lowest walk rate of McHugh’s career at 1.69 per 9.0 innings pitched.

McHugh also has starting experience and made seven opener starts for the Rays in 2021. McHugh’s proven success in the American League East and his ability to adapt, while pitching in a variety of different roles make him a very intriguing option for the Blue Jays to consider.

Mychal Givens

PITTSBURGH, PA – SEPTEMBER 16: Mychal Givens #48 of the Cincinnati Reds pitches in the ninth inning against the Pittsburgh Pirates during the game at PNC Park on September 16, 2021 in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. (Photo by Justin K. Aller/Getty Images)
PITTSBURGH, PA – SEPTEMBER 16: Mychal Givens #48 of the Cincinnati Reds pitches in the ninth inning against the Pittsburgh Pirates during the game at PNC Park on September 16, 2021 in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. (Photo by Justin K. Aller/Getty Images) /

Another option that could fly under the radar is side-arm-throwing right-hander Mychal Givens who has a history of pitching in the AL East for the Baltimore Orioles from 2015-2020.

Givens is another pitcher who should fit the mold of what the Blue Jays are looking to do this offseason as he has 9th inning experience with 29 career saves but also a track record of success pitching in the 7th and 8th innings in leverage spots.

This could be the type of move that really fits the MO of the Blue Jays front office, as it seems unlikely that Givens would garner more than a 1-year deal. It wouldn’t be the sexiest move in the world, but Givens could come in and fill a need right away for Toronto’s bullpen.

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