Blue Jays reportedly in the market for starting pitching this offseason

Heading into the 2024-25 offseason, it isn’t a secret that the Toronto Blue Jays are desperately looking for bullpen help. After all, it was one of the key areas that played a huge part in their failure to make the postseason for the first time in three years, with their disappointing sub-.500 record in 2024.

But what we didn’t expect is the fact that the Jays’ search for relievers isn’t the only priority on their list in terms of pitching help with the market open for business. According to recent reports by Blue Jays insider Ben Nicholson-Smith of Sportsnet, the Jays are in the market for starting pitching as well.

Despite some struggles at times in 2024, Toronto’s starters collectively still managed to put together a solid season as they ranked 11th in wins (51) and innings pitched (861 2/3), 14th in ERA (3.95), 12th in WHIP (1.23), ninth in strikeouts (812) and 10th in opponents batting average (.241). So one wouldn’t think it would necessarily be an absolute need, especially with Yariel Rodríguez proving more than enough to be a solid rotation piece, along with the potential return of Alek Manoah sometime in 2025.

Nevertheless, Nicholson-Smith reasons that by adding to the rotation, a key rotation piece such as Rodríguez could be moved to the bullpen to bolster the pitching staff as a whole and establish precious pitching depth. By adding a starter, it would in effect upgrade both the Jays’ rotation and the bullpen at the same time.

Nicholson-Smith’s words sure have some substance as recent rumors have revealed that the Jays are interested in two-time All-Star Max Fried, per MLB insider Jon Heyman of the New York Post. Who wouldn’t be, as Fried happens to be a former NL Cy Young finalist in 2022, as well as a three-time Gold Glove winner, showing that he can get it done with both his pitching and fielding.

With a sparkling career record of 73-36 with a 3.07 ERA and 1.16 WHIP, along with 863 strikeouts in 884 1/3 innings pitched over 168 career appearances that include 151 starts, he is as consistent and reliable as one could be.

There’s no doubt that Fried would fit in perfectly in the front end of the rotation for any contender. In the case of the Jays, he could even anchor their starting five and form a three-headed monster with Kevin Gausman and José Berríos. That would enable them to match up against any formidable starting trio on any team in the league.

The idea of loading up on starting pitching as well could produce a win-win situation for the Jays. With Toronto looking to become a legitimate contender again in 2025, retooling the roster from starting pitching outwards sounds like an infallible plan to follow.