Jays Journal
FanSided

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 /
facebooktwitterreddit
Prev
6 of 6
Next
Blue Jays
ATLANTA, GEORGIA – OCTOBER 23: Corey Knebel #46 of the Los Angeles Dodgers throws a pitch during the seventh inning of Game Six of the National League Championship Series against the Atlanta Braves at Truist Park on October 23, 2021 in Atlanta, Georgia. (Photo by Kevin C. Cox/Getty Images) /

The Best of the Rest

Corey Knebel

Corey Knebel had a tremendous bounce-back season in 2021 for the Los Angeles Dodgers after struggling in 2020 and missing all of the 2019 campaign with an injury.

Knebel was an All-Star in 2017, picking up 39 saves for Milwaukee while pitching to a 1.78 ERA for the Brewers.

The big right-hander only threw 25.2 innings in 2021 for the Dodgers but had a 2.45 ERA and 30 strikeouts, while only permitting a .448 OPS against in high leverage situations.

It’s likely that Knebel will command a multi-year deal while also looking to fill a team’s closer chair but at the very least the Blue Jays should be inquiring with his reps on the possibility of an agreement.

Kendall Graveman

Blue Jays
ATLANTA, GEORGIA – OCTOBER 31: Kendall Graveman #31 of the Houston Astros delivers the pitch against the Atlanta Braves during the ninth inning in Game Five of the World Series at Truist Park on October 31, 2021 in Atlanta, Georgia. (Photo by Michael Zarrilli/Getty Images) /

Another former Blue Jay makes the list, although Graveman’s time in Toronto was just 5 games back in 2014.

In his first full season as a reliever in 2021, Graveman found the perfect balance between strikeouts (an even 9 per 9.0 innings pitched) and ground balls (54.9% ground ball %), leading to a career-best season for the Seattle Mariners and later the Houston Astros after a midseason trade.

Related Story. Could Cavan Biggio Be Used As Trade Bait?. light

Graveman has never profiled as a plus strikeout pitcher but if he can build off of 2021, which also saw his velocity at a career-best 96.6 miles per hour, while also mixing in an effective slider, he should be able to settle in as a reliever who can pitch in different spots at a high level.

Andrew Chafin

OAKLAND, CALIFORNIA – SEPTEMBER 08: Andrew Chafin #39 of the Oakland Athletics pitches against the Chicago White Sox in the eighth inning at RingCentral Coliseum on September 08, 2021 in Oakland, California. (Photo by Ezra Shaw/Getty Images)
OAKLAND, CALIFORNIA – SEPTEMBER 08: Andrew Chafin #39 of the Oakland Athletics pitches against the Chicago White Sox in the eighth inning at RingCentral Coliseum on September 08, 2021 in Oakland, California. (Photo by Ezra Shaw/Getty Images) /

In addition to boasting one of the best moustaches in Major League Baseball, Andrew Chafin emerged in 2021 as a real weapon out of the bullpen for the Chicago Cubs and Oakland Athletics after a trade, putting up a career-best 1.83 ERA.

Next. Toronto Blue Jays: Jose Berrios Signs a 7-Year Extension. dark

Heading into the offseason, the Blue Jays have just Tim Mayza firmly slotted as a left-hander to come out of the bullpen, and Chafin’s ability to get batters out from both sides of the plate, while boasting solid strikeout numbers (64 in 68.2 innings pitched) could make him a perfect addition to the Blue Jays stable of bullpen arms.

Home/Toronto Blue Jays News