3 free agent alternatives Blue Jays could target after failing to sign Roki Sasaki

The recurring theme of the Blue Jays offseason has involved just missing out on big-named free agents. Again.

This week, it was Roki Sasaki, as he chose the Dodgers over Toronto. The Blue Jays already have a very strong rotation, but they could still use another addition to the group. These three free agent starting pitchers would represent strong pivots for Toronto after missing on Sasaki.

These three free agents would still boost the Blue Jays' starting rotation after missing on Roki Sasaki.

Andrew Heaney

As it sits right now, the Blue Jays have no left-handers in their starting rotation. Adding a guy like Andrew Heaney to this team would change that, and push a second-year arm to the bullpen in Yariel Rodriguez. Heaney has had a lot of success in his career, and would fill out this rotation as a solid arm at the back end.

Last season in Texas, Heaney posted an earned run average of 4.28 with a FIP of 4.04 across 160 innings, striking out 159 batters. Opponents batted just .248 against him, and he walked hitters at a 5.9% clip to generate a WHIP of 1.25.

Not bad numbers at all, and it would help the Blue Jays rotation in 2025. He is a guy that could come in on a multi-year contract and help Toronto for a few years.

Jack Flaherty

A guy that is surprisingly still a free agent is Jack Flaherty, but that might change after the Sasaki signing. He is not a left-hander, but he would still be a great addition to the rotation that would be worth the price.

A season ago with the Tigers and Dodgers, Flaherty put together a 3.17 earned run average with a WHIP of 1.07 while striking out 194 batters. Opponents batted just .222 against him, and he walked hitters at a 5.9% rate. Additionally, his FIP sat at 3.48.

Flaherty is another guy that would boost this rotation, despite having a history of struggles in the AL East; 2023 with the Orioles did not go well. He's another guy who is still likely going to sign a multi-year deal, even after lingering on the market all winter, and Toronto has been in the mix for him this offseason.

Jose Quintana

The veteran left-hander is in the midst of an incredible resurgence in his career, starting in 2022 and remaining productive all the way through this past season. Quintana spent the last two seasons with the Mets and is once again a free agent.

In 2024, Quintana posted an earned run average of 3.75 with a FIP of 4.56 in 170.1 innings and struck out 135 hitters. His WHIP reached 1.25, stemming from an opposing batting average of .233 and a walk rate of 8.8%.

Given his age, Quintana might be a guy that signs to a one-year deal. There is a chance that he gets two years, but that is unknown at this point. Overall, the southpaw would boost this rotation at the back end and might be the cheapest on this list. Quintana has had talks with Toronto this offseason.