3 remaining free agents the Blue Jays should sign and 2 they should avoid

3. Marcus Stroman

Speaking of the Jays front office recognizing their failures, is it really possible that they would sign Stroman after his acrimonious split with the team in 2019? Well, the longtime fan favorite was recently spotted in Toronto, adding fuel to the rumors that he may be on the precipice of making his triumphant return to ‘The 6.’

For newer Jays fans unfamiliar with Stroman, think of Chris Bassitt with swag. Yes, he is an old school workhorse, making at least 25 starts in six of the last seven (non-COVID) seasons, and pitching to an eminently solid 3.65 career ERA. But the reason the Jays should bring Stroman home is less about the numbers he so consistently churns out, and more about the second part of the equation, that unmistakable swag, the electric attitude he brings to any squad he suits up for.

After trading away Lourdes Gurriel and Teoscar Hernández, two pillars of team chemistry, and scrapping the beloved home run jacket in favor of a more buttoned-up corporate attitude in the clubhouse, the 2023 Jays too often felt like a team without a soul, a procession of slumped shoulders and resignation. Adding Stroman would breathe life into the team – seasoned fans might already be imagining him down in the barrio at the end of the bench on his off days – a valuable arm on the mound, yes, but more importantly, the ‘Stro Show’ in all its magnificence.