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

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.