Toronto Blue Jays: Free agent market is sizzling, who’s left for the Jays?

Starting Pitchers

Of course there are many outstanding questions when it comes to what the Jays have identified as a clear offseason priority. With each starter that signs elsewhere, it appears more and more likely that the Jays are, in fact, payroll constrained. Didn’t the lack of a QO to Ross Stripling last month, as well as what now apppears to be the salary dumping trade of star RF Teoscar Hernández confirm that already?

Lots of free agent starters are off the board already. The only potential free agent rotation adds left who could potentially improve the Blue Jays rotation include Carlos Rodón, the lone ace who’s still unsigned, the posted Japanese ace Kodai Senga, as well as Chris Bassitt, Nathan Eovaldi, Sean Manaea, Michael Wacha, Noah Syndergaard, Rich Hill, Corey Kluber, Michael Lorenzen, Jordan Lyles, plus former Blue Jay Ross Stripling. Note: The Mets are rumoured to be interested in Stripling as well.

Are General Manager Ross Atkins and team president Mark Shapiro really happy going in to 2023 with Yusei Kikuchi and Mitch White as their fourth and fifth starting rotation options? Isn’t this a team with serious World Series aspirations? It’s unlikely that injured starter Hyun Jin Ryu will be able to contribute until late next season (if at all) coming off of UCL surgery in June this year. Other internal options like Nate Pearson, Julian Merryweather, Trent Thornton, Thomas Hatch and Anthony Kay have all left Jays fans wanting more.

And remember that the MLB ready starting pitching depth in the weak Jays’ farm system is limited to 20-year-old Ricky Tiedemann, who’s only had a cup of coffee with 11 innings pitched at Double-A. Another top prospect, Yosver Zulueta, is an oft injured - but hard throwing - righty, was selected to the Futures Game in July and can stay at 96-97mph as a starter. However, his heavy fastball and mid-80s slider combo might work better in high leverage relief, where he can hit 100mph. Top 2022 draft pick Brandon Barriera is only 18, and 22-year-old Hayden Juenger is more of a traditional multi-inning reliever.

High Leverage Bullpen Arms

As the 2022 playoffs showed, hard throwing, swing-and-miss high leverage relievers are a key ingredient in the World Series-winning recipe. Lockdown relievers Bryan Abreu, Héctor Neris and Rafael Montero were all hard throwing setup men for Houston closer Ryan Pressly. Philadelphia countered with Seranthony Domínguez, Andrew Bellatti and José Alvarado setting up their closer David Robertson.

The free agent market for relievers has been scorching hot this offseason, with closer Edwin Díaz agreeing to a five-year, $102 million deal to return to the Mets. The Boston Red Sox have already spent $49.5 million adding two such free agent arms this week in Kenley Jansen and Chris Martin, both signed to two year deals.

Remaining names of interest include lefties Taylor Rogers, Zack Britton, Andrew Chafin, Will Smith, Matt Moore and Aroldis Chapman. Right-handed relievers include Craig Kimbrel, Corey Knebel, Trevor May, Mychal Givens, Michael Fulmer, David Robertson, Seth Lugo and Adam Ottavino.

The Jays have also been linked to former Cardinals Closer Alex Reyes, who spent all of 2022 on the IL and then was non-tendered after the season. He’s had multiple structural issues with his arm, including Tommy John surgery in 2017, and shoulder surgeries in both 2020 and 2022. While GM Ross Atkins has never shied away from rebound candidates, he may want to avoid any further comparisons with the failed Kirby Yates signing.

Additional trades for high leverage relievers are also available, with Atlanta acquiring hard throwing set-up man Joe Jiménez from the Tigers for two prospects. Certainly the Teoscar
Hernández trade should give the Blue Jays more payroll flexibility to add players.

With such clearly defined needs and increasingly limited options, Jays fans are understandably disappointed with each player of interest dropping off the free agent and trade boards. Team president Mark Shapiro stated unequivocally at the Winter Meetings that the Blue Jays were ready to spend this offseason, saying, “It’s not an obstacle for us. It’s not what will limit us. We’ll budget and we’ll have a budget that we limit to. But the CBT is not going to be what sets our budget.”

With more than two months left before spring training and nearly four months before Opening Day next March 30th, there is lots of time to address the team’s needs. As assistant GM Joe Sheehan said Wednesday at the Winter Meetings on the team's lack of moves so far. “I think there’s a lot of good players that are still free agents. There’s a lot of good players that are available in trade. I think we’re in a fortunate position where we don’t have 16 holes to fill."