Toronto Blue Jays GM Ross Atkins off-season plan might end up costing them a ton of great bullpen arms
Photo credit: Jays Journal
The Toronto Blue Jays' biggest concern this off-season is fixing their bullpen but due to general manager Ross Atkins' plan, they might end up missing out on some great relief pitchers.
The Blue Jays had the worst bullpen in the MLB last season with a -2.5 fWAR and a 4.82 ERA which ended up costing them a ton of games last season which is why they need to bring in some new pitchers to try and fix the problem.
Blue Jays might end up missing out on top end relief pitchers due to Ross Atkins
The free agent market has quite a few solid relief pitchers this season that could end up being great for the Blue Jays bullpen but it seems like Atkins' way of signing bullpen pitchers might end up preventing the Blue Jays from signing any of these talented arms.
During his time in Toronto, the largest contract Atkins has given to a relief pitcher was Yimi Garcia who was signed to a 3 year $16 million contract.
The majority of the top end relief pitchers on the free agent market such as Tanner Scott, Carlos Estevez, Jeff Hoffman and Clay Holmes will all end up signing for more than this which is why many believe Atkins will try to low ball these pitchers and end up with average bullpen pitchers again.
In reality, though, odds are Atkins won't be a major player in this market. That's been a constant theme for this front office, whose largest commitment to a free-agent reliever remains Yimi Garc�a's three-year, $16-million contract. Plus, all three of Scott, Estévez and Hoffman will surely blow past that amount this off-season. -Hall
The Blue Jays only have 1 reliever guaranteed to be on the roster next season as Chad Green has one year left on his contract which means Atkins needs to sign a lot of pitchers this off-season.
Since the Blue Jays are looking to turn their bullpen completely around, bringing in a ton of new faces will surely help but only if the team bring in solid pitcher and not ones sitting at the bottom of the market.
In reality, though, odds are Atkins won't be a major player in this market. That's been a constant theme for this front office, whose largest commitment to a free-agent reliever remains Yimi Garc�a's three-year, $16-million contract. Plus, all three of Scott, Estévez and Hoffman will surely blow past that amount this off-season. -hall
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