Chad Green deserves some love for his epic versatility in the Blue Jays' bullpen this year

2024 has been nothing short of a disaster for the Toronto Blue Jays bullpen. Injuries and underperformance have decimated the group, leaving them lacking both top-end and depth talent. Their combined ERA of 5.11 this season ranks 29th in the majors, only ahead of the Colorado Rockies, who at least have the excuse of playing in baseball's most hitter-friendly environment. Throughout all this, there have been some bright spots, and no one deserves more recognition than Chad Green.

After missing most of the 2023 season recovering from Tommy John surgery, Green once again found himself on the shelf early into his second season in Toronto, missing over a month of action from April 15th to May 28th. In spite of this, he seems to be in peak condition, posting a 1.72 ERA over 36.2 innings and has become the team's de facto closer. However, with the rest of the bullpen crumbling around him, Green has been asked to do far more than just close out games, and his versatility has been invaluable to the club.

With Jordan Romano on the shelf, Erik Swanson still struggling to return to form and Yimi García having been shipped out to Seattle, if the Blue Jays find themselves in a high-leverage situation, you can just about guarantee that Green is going to pitch. In 13 of Green's last 17 appearances, he's recorded either a save, a hold, or a decision, and he's appeared in over half of the team's wins this season. His four most recent outings in particular serve as a perfect example of what he's been asked to do throughout the year.

On August 2 in the Bronx, Green entered in the bottom of the 9th with the Jays leading 8-5 to face the top of the Yankees order, headlined by Aaron Judge and Juan Soto: he strikes out the side to record the save. On August 4, once again against the Yankees, Green enters a tied game with two out in the 8th and records the next four outs to send the game to extras. On August 6, Green comes in to get the saves against the Orioles with their 3-4-5 hitters up, including Gunnar Henderson and Adley Rutschman and sets down the side in order. Finally, on August 8, Green enters the game in the 9th inning with the Jays up 7-2, but with the bases loaded and nobody out, but is able to limit the damage and secure the win. When the Jays have needed to get important outs, they've called upon Green, and as of late, he's been exactly what they needed.

As the Blue Jays were selling off pieces left and right less than two weeks ago, it appeared as though Chad Green may not be with the club for much longer, and while some fans may have been disappointed the front office didn't trade the veteran reliever for some prospects, his contribution to the team has been invaluable. As disappointing as this season has been and as terrible as the bullpen has performed, Green deserves tons of credit for being asked to do just about everything and rarely failing to deliver.