As the MLB offseason continues to heat up, several big names have already found new homes. Max Scherzer, one of the top free agent pitchers on the market, has signed a massive deal with the New York Mets, while Tyler Glasnow, Blake Snell, and Ryan Yarbrough all found themselves traded away from the Tampa Bay Rays. With all of these big moves happening, one team that seems to be in a state of uncertainty when it comes to their pitching staff is the Toronto Blue Jays.
The Blue Jays had a solid rotation last season, with the likes of Hyun Jin Ryu, Robbie Ray, and Alek Manoah leading the way. However, with Ray signing a lucrative deal with the Seattle Mariners and Yarbrough being traded to the Milwaukee Brewers, there are some holes to fill in the Jays’ rotation.
One of the biggest questions surrounding the Blue Jays pitching staff is the health of Nate Pearson. Pearson, once considered one of the top pitching prospects in baseball, has struggled to stay healthy and produce consistent results at the major league level. If Pearson can stay healthy and fulfill his potential, he could be a key piece in the Jays’ rotation.
Another player to keep an eye on is Jose Berrios. The Jays acquired Berrios at the trade deadline last season, and he pitched well down the stretch for Toronto. Berrios is a talented pitcher with a high ceiling, and if he can continue to pitch at a high level, he could emerge as the ace of the Jays’ rotation.
The Blue Jays also have some promising young arms in their system, such as Manoah, who showed flashes of brilliance in his rookie season, as well as Simeon Woods Richardson and Alek Manoah, who could be ready to contribute at the major league level in the near future.
However, with the loss of Ray and the uncertainty surrounding Pearson, the Blue Jays still have some work to do to solidify their pitching staff for the upcoming season. Whether they turn to free agency or make a trade to acquire another starter remains to be seen, but one thing is certain: the Jays pitching staff is currently in a state of flux.
Overall, the Blue Jays have the makings of a solid pitching staff, but there are still some questions that need to be answered before the start of the season. With several big names off the board and the rotation still in flux, it will be interesting to see how the Jays address their pitching needs in the coming weeks. The front office will need to make some shrewd moves to ensure that the team has a competitive pitching staff in 2022.
