5 former Blue Jays we would love to see return in free agency

As the Toronto Blue Jays get set to engage in big action in free agency to address their various needs this offseason, what better way to do so than to potentially bring back former players that could significantly help with the job. On one hand, they would likely relish having a second go-around with the team with hopes of establishing more success this time around. On the other hand, after gaining valuable experience at success and winning other teams, they would now have the opportunity to be even more impactful with the Jays than ever before.

As a result, let’s take a closer look at five attractive options in free agency that the Blue Jays should seriously consider in having a reunion with. If Toronto can somehow manage to end up with at least one returnee from this group, it would already be a win for the organization and their fanbase.

LHP Yusei Kikuchi

Already a fan and team favourite during his time with Toronto, Yusei Kikuchi is a prime candidate that the club should bring home once again this winter. Despite having his ups and downs during his first tenure with the Jays, Kikuchi had proven more in his recent years that when he was on his game, he could actually pitch like one of the best in the league.

More importantly, following his trade to the Houston Astros at the trade deadline last season, the Astros appeared to have helped Kikuchi make the right adjustments to pitch even more effectively as a result. In his 10 starts with his new club down the stretch, Kikuchi went 5-1 with a stellar 2.70 ERA, 0.93 WHIP, along with just 14 walks and 76 strikeouts in just 60 innings pitched. Filled with confidence, he dominated opposing teams’ hitters by holding them to three runs or less in nine of those 10 starts in the process. Despite the small sample size, it was by far his best numbers he had put up for any team in his MLB career.

Earlier this year, the Jays’ starting pitchers have emphasized that they cherished the bond and tight-knit group that they had formed playing together. Alek Manoah had even gone as far as suggesting that Kikuchi to go get the Jays some prospects at the deadline and then come back to help make the team better. With free agency now in full flight, now be the time to make that supposedly that half-hearted quip into a reality.