4 experiments the Blue Jays need to try to prepare for 2025

As a former starter, why not test Ryan Yarbrough again in the role?

For Ryan Yarbrough, the Jays should consider moving him into the rotation and give him a start or two prior to the end of the season. Why the starter experiment all of a sudden? Well, Jays’ fans probably still have nightmares of when Yarbrough would dominate Toronto as a starter with the Tampa Bay Rays. At one point in time, he was indeed a solid swingman in the big leagues, owning a career ERA under five and WHIP of 1.21 as a starter. Only in recent years has Yarbrough pitched primarily as a reliever, and has done a tremendous job in doing so. In a relief role, he sports a strong 39-16 record with a 3.77 ERA and 1.17 WHIP.

Currently, Yarbrough has been the Jays’ most dominant and reliable bullpen arm since the trade deadline, posting a stellar 2.28 ERA, 0.76 WHIP, while giving up just two home runs, 6 walks and 18 strikeouts in 23.2 innings pitched over 10 appearances. It really seemed as though he was working hard to pay back his dues after all the damage he had done to the Jays over the years.

Yarbrough could even be more valuable to the team if he could prove that he can still bring it as a starter. Seeing how he performs when going through a lineup the second time around will be the determining point. If Yarbrough can show convincing signs of success, it ultimately provides the Jays with more options heading into 2025. By reverting back to his effective swingman role, the Jays can thus re-sign him to a cheap contract for next year and utlilize him where they see fit. It would also lower their need to search for a dependable starter this offseason, as it would firmly add him into the mix with Manoah and Rodríguez as the internal options to fill the fifth spot in the Jays’ rotation.