What should the Blue Jays do with Ross Stripling this offseason?

Starting pitching for the Toronto Blue Jays has been inconsistent, to say the least. Kevin Gausman for the most part has been the $110 million dollar player they signed this offseason. Alek Manoah has proven that his rookie year was no fluke and he looks to be a future ace.

With Jose Berrios’ struggles and Yusei Kikuchi now in the bullpen, Ross Stripling has been the third-best pitcher on this Jays team this year. The right-hander has gone 6-4 with a 2.94 ERA in 24 appearances. His ERA is even lower as a starter, sitting at 2.80 through 18 starts.

Stripling has a 2.96 FIP and a 134 ERA+. His outstanding season has been no fluke and he has been easily the most underrated player on this star-studded Blue Jays team. With the season-ending injury to Ryu, and the struggles hampering Berrios and Kikuchi, I have no idea where this Blue Jays team would be without Ross Stripling.

Gausman and Manoah will be the Jays first two options to start in a playoff series but with the way Stripling has pitched, he will probably be their third option.

The Blue Jays should look to bring Ross Stripling back on a multi-year deal as he approaches free agency.

Ross Stripling can be impactful on just about any team. He’s a guy who can start a game if need be, and he’s a guy who can be a long reliever in the bullpen. I would bring Stripling back in that swingman role any day.

The Jays have Berrios, Gausman, and Manoah locked into their 2023 rotation. After that, there are question marks. Hyun-Jin Ryu is out for likely a majority of next season after undergoing another Tommy John surgery. Can Yusei Kikuchi be trusted as a full-time starter? I’d say no.

The Jays will likely sign a starter in free agency but will they get two? I’m not so sure. Having Stripling there to be the fifth starter or a long man can prove to be beneficial at a position many teams struggle to find depth at.

Stripling is 32 years old and considering he’s having his first outstanding season since his All-Star campaign in 2018, I don’t think he will cost very much if the Jays look to bring him back.

I believe a one-year deal is the best solution, but the qualifying offer is too much money. Bringing the veteran back on a cheaper two-year deal makes a lot of sense to me.

He’s making $3.79 million dollars this season. Even if they triple that money he will be making much less than the $18+ million dollars the qualifying offer is worth in 2023.

Stripling has shown his worth this season and letting him go I think would be a mistake.