Blue Jays reportedly "very interested" in highly controversial ex-Yankees pitcher

Mention the name Domingo Germán, and it's likely to elicit some strong emotions from Blue Jays fans. After all, we're talking about a pitcher who was ejected from a game in Toronto this past season, due to having an illegal substance on his right hand.

Well, if the latest speculation is anything to go by, fans in Southern Ontario are going to have (even) more reason to react strongly to Germán. According to MLB Insider and broadcaster Mike Rodriguez, the Blue Jays are reportedly one of several teams 'very interested' in acquiring his services.

Controversial character

The 31-year-old is an extremely polarising but also just downright controversial character. And not just because of the aforementioned ejection in Toronto, which subsequently resulted in him being suspended by Major League Baseball for 10 games.

Germán also previously received a 81-game suspension as punishment for violating the Major League domestic violence policy, after allegations surrounding his girlfriend. More recently, he was shut down for the rest of the 2023 season back in August, to get treatment for alcohol abuse.

After the season, the Yankees attempted to get the righty to accept an assignment to the minors. He refused, resulting in him becoming a free agent.

Erratic play on the mound

When considering all of this, it makes you wonder why the Blue Jays would be interested in Germán? Yes, he pitched a perfect game back in June, but his results overall during this past season were not particularly consistent.

The Dominican Republic native went 5-7 in 19 starts (20 overall appearances), with him producing a 4.56 ERA, 95 ERA+, 4.65 FIP and 1.077 WHIP in the process. He also recorded a 25.7 percent strike rate and 7.7 walk rate.

Further, for his six seasons in the Majors as a whole, Germán's return has been a bit up and down. In 112 combined games (including 89 starts), he has a 4.41 ERA, 97 ERA+, 4.50 FIP and 1.177 WHIP.

In terms of his talent, Germán does have a fine fastball which can manufacture strikes, but overall he's just too unreliable, both on and off the field. It's surprising the Blue Jays are apparently that interested in him, although perhaps they see him as someone who would prove more useful working out of the bullpen.