Toronto Blue Jays: Five Moves the Club Should Make Post-Lockout

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CLEVELAND, OHIO – SEPTEMBER 24: Jose Ramirez #11 of the Cleveland Indians runs out a single during the fourth inning against the Chicago White Sox at Progressive Field on September 24, 2021 in Cleveland, Ohio. (Photo by Jason Miller/Getty Images) /

The MLB owners continue to lockout the players, but fans can hope that it will soon come to an end. If things can get up and running again, here is a look at five moves I think the Blue Jays should do coming out of the lockout.

1. Acquire Jose Ramirez
The Blue Jays offence took a big hit when Marcus Semien and 45 home runs signed a seven-year deal with the Texas Rangers for $175 Million. While I really enjoyed watching Semien during the 2021 season, I think it was a contract you don’t want to lock yourself into if you are Blue Jays management. With that being said, that was a big part of the offence that is gone from last year.

Jose Ramirez is likely the most talked-about name that the Blue Jays have been linked to in trade possibilities. Ramirez is a 29-year old superstar that has two years of team control remaining before he hits free agency. He brings several assets that the Blue Jays need to fill as Ramirez is a third baseman, which is a current hole on the defensive side of the team and possesses a power bat that finished with 36 home runs in 2021, which could replace the loss of Semien’s bat. Unlike Semien, Ramirez has a longer track record and consistency, with his three Silver Slugger Awards in the last five seasons and has finished top six in AL-MVP voting in four of those seasons.

The debate would be, what would the Blue Jays have to give up to get Ramirez. My opinion would be any non-roster prospect would be made available. With that being said, if a player like Gabriel Moreno was included in the deal, he would be the only top prospect going the other way and you would need to have talks with Ramirez about signing an extension. In an ideal situation the club would be able to keep Moreno, but no matter what the Jays will be moving a few top prospects. There are so many trade packages that can be contemplated, but I will save that for another time. Ramirez would be my top priority.

LOS ANGELES, CALIFORNIA – OCTOBER 19: Kenley Jansen #74 of the Los Angeles Dodgers pitches during the 9th inning of Game 3 of the National League Championship Series against the Atlanta Braves at Dodger Stadium on October 19, 2021 in Los Angeles, California. (Photo by Sean M. Haffey/Getty Images) /

2. Sign Kenley Jansen
The 34-year old Kenley Jansen is a three-time All-Star who has played his entire career with the Los Angeles Dodgers. He hit free agency this past offseason and was still available at the time the players were locked out. If we learned anything from last season, a weak bullpen can ruin a great season.

The Blue Jays struggled through the first portion of the campaign, primarily because of the bullpen. Ross Atkins made some great additions during the season, but he needs to continue to build on that. I have a ton of confidence in Jordan Romano being the closer for the club next season, but if you can sign a pitcher Jansen to a two or three-year deal, you have to add him to the bullpen.

Over his 12-year career, Jansen has posted a 2.37 ERA with 350 saves, including 38 in 2021 and a 2.22 ERA. Jansen can either be the closer or the mentor in guiding Romano. Either way, adding Jansen would help the club.

With the owners and players looking to sign a CBA in the near future, here are five moves the Blue Jays should make post-lockout.

3. Sign Carlos Rodon
Carlos Rodon is a former third overall pick in the 2014 MLB Draft and had a breakout season in 2021 that saw him post a 13-5 record with a 2.37 ERA that led him to be selected to the All-Star Game and finishing fifth in AL Cy Young voting. Rodon’s 2.37 ERA was nearly two whole runs lower than his career average of 4.14 ERA.

While he was a Cy Young Award contender in 2021, his track record won’t get him the big-time money others have got. I would hope the Blue Jays would be able to sign him to a three to a four-year deal at around $12 Million per year, but it may be a bit higher. If the club can add Rodon to the rotation, the Blue Jays would have a rotation of Rodon, Kevin Gausman, Jose Berrios, Hyun Jin Ryu, and Alek Manoah.

TORONTO, ON – SEPTEMBER 30: Nate Pearson #24 of the Toronto Blue Jays pitches in the eighth inning of their MLB game against the New York Yankees at Rogers Centre on September 30, 2021 in Toronto, Ontario. (Photo by Cole Burston/Getty Images) /

4. Move Nate Pearson to Bullpen full-time in 2022
I know this is an unpopular opinion as Nate Pearson has a ton of upside, but my thought behind this is that I want to see Pearson get through a full season healthy. Pearson has a long track record of injuries since turning pro with the Blue Jays organization in 2017.

Over his five-year professional career, Pearson has only thrown 187 innings. His combined workload between the minors and MLB each season has been:

2017 – 20 IP
2018 – 1.2 IP
2019 – 101.2 IP
2020 – 18 IP (MLB)
2021 – 45.2 IP

With Pearson, he has been unable to really develop over the past few years as he is constantly rehabbing injuries and once he gets healthy, he finds himself on the injured list again. I’d like him to have a low workload in 2022 that allows him to build on his strength, have a full season with the Blue Jays club, and build up his confidence. If he is never able to turn into that front of the rotation starter and we have to settle for a power arm in the back of the rotation I would be very happy. What Pearson reminds me of right now is Aaron Sanchez and Dustin McGowan where they had a ton of potential, but injuries kept derailing their career and the club kept pushing them as starters.

5. Sign Corey Dickerson
I would love to see the club be able to sign a player like Kris Bryant, but I think the cost would be too much and with the Blue Jays organization having a lot of players that are going to get paid big contracts over the next few seasons, you need to find good depth signings.

If the club is able to trade for Jose Ramirez, I believe Lourdes Gurriel Jr is out the door (I would prefer Randal Grichuk) and that would leave the club needing a fourth outfielder. Last season when the Jays acquired Corey Dickerson he was on the injured list but when he came back healthy, he provided good results as a depth player. In 140 plate appearances, Dickerson posted a slash line of .282/.329/.450 and was able to spend time in all three outfield positions. I don’t think the price on Dickerson would be too much and can fill in the long term if the outfield deals with injuries again.

Next. Bridge to Jordan Romano. dark

Are there any of these moves you think the club should not do or don’t have a chance? Any other moves you would like the club to do?

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With the owners and players looking to sign a CBA in the near future, here are five moves the Blue Jays should make post-lockout.

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