15 worst Toronto Blue Jays free agent signings in franchise history

13. RHP Pat Hengten - one year, $2.2M (2003-2004 offseason)

While everyone loves a good reunion story, this one was never meant to be.

Hentgen, one of the earliest true “aces” the Blue Jays had, began his career in Toronto and emerged as one of the most dynamic starting pitchers in the league. In 1993 he broke out, going 19-9 and making his first career All-Star Game. He finished sixth in the AL Cy Young Award voting that year.

He made another ASG appearance in 1994 and then went off in 1996, going 20-10 with a 3.22 ERA and 156 ERA+. He threw 10 complete games and three complete game shutouts and led the American League with a 0.7 HR/9 rate. This was enough for him to win the Cy Young Award that season. 

Hentgen followed up his award-winning performance with his fourth and final All-Star Game appearance. After that 1997 season, he began to slowly decline and eventually made appearances for the St. Louis Cardinals and Baltimore Orioles before coming back to Toronto.

At the age of 35, Hentgen returned to the Jays and looked … awful. In 18 appearances (16 starts), he went 2-9 with a 6.95 ERA and 6.53 FIP. He walked (42) more than he struck out (33) and just looked lost on the mound. This was the last he was seen at the big league level, but he retired as one of the best pitchers to ever wear a Blue Jays uniform thanks to what he did in his first go-round.