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Blue Jays all-time best starting rotation based on WAR

By Darcy Weiss |
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Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim v Toronto Blue Jays / Dave Sandford/GettyImages
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Wins Above Replacement (WAR) is a statistical metric used to quantify a player's overall contribution to their team compared to that of a hypothetical replacement-level player. WAR is designed to provide a single value that represents a player's total value in various aspects of the game, including offense, defense, and base-running, relative to the average performance of other players at their position. It takes into account a player's individual statistics, such as batting average, on-base percentage, slugging percentage, stolen bases, and defensive metrics, among others. It compares these numbers to the performance of an average or replacement-level player, factoring in park effects, league averages, and positional adjustments.

The Blue Jays have had several great pitchers in their franchise history, but who would make up the teams' all-time best starting pitching rotation? Using the WAR metric, these five pitchers had the largest impact with the team.

Lineup WAR. Blue Jays best all-time starting lineup based on WAR. dark. RELATED

SP1: Dave Stieb - 56.8 WAR

Dave Stieb was a great pitcher whose illustrious career spanned from 1979 to 1998. He was best known for his exceptional durability and consistency, earning a reputation as a workhorse who frequently pitching deep into games and often leading the league in innings pitched. His pitching arsenal primarily featured a formidable fastball and a tightly controlled slider. Throughout his career, Stieb found himself in high-pressure situations, coming agonizingly close to three no-hitters, losing each of them with two outs in the 9th inning. However, in 1990, he achieved the ultimate feat by throwing the first (and to this day, only) no-hitter in the history of the Toronto Blue Jays against the Cleveland Indians.

Stieb's remarkable twelve seasons with the Blue Jays were characterized by exceptional statistical achievements, firmly establishing his legacy as one of the franchise's finest. He is the franchise leader in WAR with 56.8, and is the all-time leader in wins with 175, innings pitched with 2873, a total of 1,658 strikeouts, along with 103 complete games and 30 shutouts. These extraordinary contributions earned Stieb a well-deserved induction into the esteemed Canadian Baseball Hall of Fame in 2004, as well as a coveted place among the elite ten members of the Blue Jays Level of Excellence. With his remarkable accomplishments and enduring impact, Stieb firmly solidifies his position as one of the greatest players in the storied history of the Toronto Blue Jays.

SP2: Roy Halladay - 48.4 WAR

Roy Halladay's tenure as a Toronto Blue Jay left an indelible mark on the franchise and cemented his status as one of the greatest pitchers of his era. Halladay's impressive career with the Blue Jays, which spanned from 1998 to 2009, was defined by his unparalleled work ethic, exceptional command, and unwavering dedication to perfection. Known for his unrelenting competitiveness, consistently delivering stellar performances on the mound and earning the respect and admiration of teammates, opponents, and fans alike.

Halladay's statistical achievements speak volumes about his greatness as he amassed an impressive 148 wins, a 3.43 ERA, and a 48.4 WAR with the team. His dominance was not limited to wins alone, due to his ability to pitch deep into games, often leading the league in complete games and innings pitched. His command and control were extraordinary, as evidenced by his incredible 2.0 BB/9 rate. His trademark cutter, curveball combination was lethal, and led him to earning six All-Star game selections, a Cy Young Award, and the respect of fans worldwide. Halladay will always be remembered for his impact on the Blue Jays and his status as one of the greatest pitchers of his generation.

SP3: Jimmy Key - 27.9 WAR

Jimmy Key's contributions for the Toronto Blue Jays were instrumental in the team's success during the 1980s and early 1990s. Key's tenure with the Blue Jays, which spanned from 1984 to 1992, showcased his consistent excellence and ability to deliver quality performances on the mound. Key was known for his pinpoint control, relying on his exceptional command to keep hitters off balance and induce weak contact.

Key's stats further solidify his status as a highly effective pitcher for the Blue Jays. He compiled an impressive record of 116 wins, placing him among the top pitchers in team history. His excellence was not limited to wins alone, as he boasted an ERA of 3.42 with the team, consistently ranking among the league's best in that category, along with a 27.9 WAR, placing him third in the all-time rotation. His ability to limit runs and pitch effectively in pressure situations was crucial to the Blue Jays' success, especially during their championship-winning seasons in 1992. What Key brought to the team extended beyond the regular season, as he also excelled in the postseason, earning the reputation as a reliable and clutch performer. Jimmy Key's consistent excellence, reliability, and postseason success make him a standout pitcher in the history of the Blue Jays.

SP4: Pat Hentgen - 26.8 WAR

Pat Hentgen's time with the Toronto Blue Jays was marked by his exceptional abilities and significant contributions to the team's triumphs. He was with the team from 1991 to 1999 and again in 2004, established himself as a dependable and effective pitcher with three All-Star game appearances, and a Cy Young Award.

Hentgen's success is exemplified by his impressive WAR of 26.8, which ranks him fourth among the team's all-time rotation. A standout season in 1996 where we won 20 games resulted in him being honored with the Cy Young Award. Throughout his tenure with the team, Hentgen accumulated an impressive total of 107 victories, including a remarkable winning performance in Game 3 of the 1993 World Series against the Braves. His ERA with the team was 4.32 as he faced some challenges towards the end of his time in Toronto, though his success during the mid-90s will be how he is remembered.

SP5: Jim Clancy - 24.8 WAR

Jim Clancy was a solid pitcher for the Blue Jays during his tenure from 1977 to 1988. The big right-hander was known for his strong arm and durability, as he consistently provided stability to the teams' pitching staff during the infancy of the franchise. Clancy's ability to pitch deep into games and eat up innings is what his success was based around.

His lone All-Star appearance came in 1982 where he owned a 16-14 record with a 3.71 ERA and a league leading 40 games started. He recorded 128 victories, placing him third on the team's all-time wins list. His WAR with the team was 24.8, placing him fifth in the all-time rotation, mostly due to his longevity because Roger Clemens played just two seasons in Toronto and owned a WAR of 20.1. Clancy might not have been elite, but he was a good Blue Jay for the first 12 seasons of the franchise.

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