Blue Jays: Players who could be dropped before Opening Day

TORONTO, ON - SEPTEMBER 17: Ryan Borucki #56 of the Toronto Blue Jays on the mound in the eighth inning of their MLB game at Rogers Centre on September 17, 2021 in Toronto, Ontario. (Photo by Cole Burston/Getty Images)
TORONTO, ON - SEPTEMBER 17: Ryan Borucki #56 of the Toronto Blue Jays on the mound in the eighth inning of their MLB game at Rogers Centre on September 17, 2021 in Toronto, Ontario. (Photo by Cole Burston/Getty Images) /
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TORONTO, ON – AUGUST 08: Kirby Snead #60 of the Toronto Blue Jays delivers a pitch during a MLB game against the Boston Red Sox at Rogers Centre on August 08, 2021 in Toronto, Canada. (Photo by Vaughn Ridley/Getty Images) /

Kirby Snead

After a handful of games with the Blue Jays last season, Kirby Snead heads into the 2022 campaign looking for a spot on the active roster. One of the top relievers with the Buffalo Bisons last season, Snead allowed only two earned runs through 7.2 innings while posting a 1.174 WHIP and an 8.2 K/9.

I was a bit surprised that the club did not promote him earlier in the season but when he was with the Blue Jays, he was a strong member of the bullpen. If he doesn’t make the Opening Day roster, it isn’t a far-fetched idea that Snead would be one of the first names called upon as an injury replacement, especially since he is still on the 40-man.

One reason Snead makes this list is that he could be expendable if the front office adds a player or two this offseason, similar to how the club dropped Connor Overton and Patrick Murphy last season. I wouldn’t be a big fan of this move but if Ross Atkins and co. are able to bring in a veteran arm and require a spot on the roster, it may see Snead be dropped in favour. The one thing the Alabama product has going for him is that he has MiLB options compared to Borucki and McGuire, which could be a difference-maker when it comes to deciding who stays and who goes.