Blue Jays: Three more relief pitching targets come off the board, what's left?
In the past week, three relief pitchers on the free agent market came off the board that felt like fits on the Blue Jays.
Michael Fulmer signed with the Cubs, Alex Reyes signed with the Dodgers and Andrew Chafin returned to the Diamondbacks.
Each of the three could've had a spot on the Jays' roster, especially Chafin thanks to his left-handedness. Tim Mayza is the only lefty projected to begin the 2023 campaign in the big league bullpen.
Fulmer and Reyes, both righties, were far and away the best remaining right-handers on the market and could've easily taken the spot of someone like Trevor Richards on the squad.
So this brings us back to a question that's been asked multiple times this offseason, what's left for the Blue Jays if they are truly aiming to strengthen the bullpen, one of their last remaining weaknesses?
Three top-shelf lefties remain on the market; Will Smith, Zack Britton and Matt Moore. All could easily be had on cheap, one-year contracts so it will be interesting to see if Ross Atkins and Co. will strike.
Smith, 33, had something of a breakout season for the Brewers all the way back in 2014 and hasn't looked back since, functioning as a highly-reliable lefty for the Giants, Braves and Astros after wrapping up stints in Kansas City and Milwaukee.
Last season, Smith made a total of 65 appearances and had a 3.97 ERA along the way. He does an efficient job at striking batters out while limiting the longball and free pass.
Britton, 35, should be signed strictly because the Jays already have someone named Zach Britton in their minor league system.
Zack's value is at an all-time low right now, which could play into the Blue Jays' favor here. He performed poorly in 2021 and then was limited to just three appearances last year thanks to a slew of injuries.
When he's on, Britton has shown time and time again that he is one of the most dymamic lefties in the game. He has considerable experience as both a middle relief option and as a closer, furthering his value.
Finally, there's Moore, a 33-year-old reliever who has now found considerable success in the majors as both a starter and reliever.
Last year, the Rangers turned him into a full-time relief pitcher and he thrived in this new role. In 63 games, he had a sparkling 1.95 ERA and 203 ERA+ in 74 innings, even earning the first five saves of his career along the way.
Any of this trio would be excellent additions to this Blue Jays bullpen. While things are in capable hands with Mayza as the only southpaw, there is room for one more, preferably one as strong as Smith, Britton or Moore.