3 relievers who would help bullpen
Issues are as bleak as they’ve been all season for the Toronto Blue Jays.
Losers of 9 of their final 10, the Jays have did not safe three straight winnable sequence, with the most recent blunder coming within the type of a sweep by the Seattle Mariners. There have been many shortcomings for Toronto this month, together with the bullpen’s league-worst 10 dwelling runs allowed and its minus-0.48 win chance added, twenty fourth in baseball.
If there’s one shiny spot in all of the agony, it’s that Toronto has stumbled at some extent within the season when upgrades can be found. The MLB draft begins July 17, after which the commerce market normally heats up, adopted by the All-Star Break from July 18-21, then the commerce deadline on Aug. 2.
The Blue Jays are out there for relievers. Fortunately for them, loads of groups ought to be promoting. Listed here are three gamers Toronto can commerce for to bolster its bullpen.
Daniel Bard – Colorado Rockies, RHP
This season, Blue Jays relievers have thrown solely 3.2 per cent of their pitches sooner than 96 m.p.h., rating them twenty fifth within the league. Past nearer Jordan Romano, Toronto lacks velocity within the ‘pen. Bard would repair that drawback.
The correct-hander pairs his sinking fastball, which averages 98 m.p.h., with a nasty slider that helps push his strikeout charge into the 86th percentile. Bard’s energy arsenal has additionally helped him silence hitters all season — his .156 xBA and .255 xSLG rank fourth- and eighth-best, respectively, amongst relievers with at the very least 150 pitches this 12 months.
Bard’s solely caveat is his 4.7 BB/9 clip, which juices his FIP to three.60. Nonetheless, the free passes have at all times been a part of the 37-year-old’s modus operandi, and he’s presently having his greatest season since 2010.
Even on an expiring contract, the eight-year veteran can have loads of suitors. Bard’s stuff is extra electrical than any present Jays reliever, and he has expertise working within the eighth and ninth innings, two necessary qualities Toronto could be sensible to ante up and commerce for.
Joe Jiménez – Detroit Tigers, RHP
Six years into his MLB profession, Jiménez is lastly shining on the mound. The 277-pound righty’s 2.97 ERA is approach under his profession mark (5.34) due to dramatic enhancements in his stroll numbers (1.9 BB/9) and residential runs allowed (0.8 HR/9).
The 27-year-old is a pleasure to observe, as he effortlessly places his huge body into every pitch, snapping off fastballs, sliders, and the uncommon changeup. This season, Jiménez has completed a noticeably higher job of limiting onerous contact, and his slider is an enormous motive why.
The Puerto Rico native has at all times had glorious swing-and-miss capabilities, particularly together with his breaking stuff, however his slider has been practically unimaginable for hitters to sq. up this season. Jiménez is permitting a mean exit velocity of 83.6 m.p.h. on the slide-piece, which is a key consider his opponents solely managing eight extra-base hits off him.
The Tigers are clearly sellers, so a deal between Toronto and Motown is sensible. There’s some danger with trades for risky ‘pen arms like Jiménez, who has solely been an above common pitcher in three of six seasons, however the Blue Jays ought to take a chance in the event that they like what they see.
Jiménez isn’t a free agent till 2024, which makes him a extra beneficial piece past this season.
Mychal Givens – Chicago Cubs, RHP
Givens is a less expensive however nonetheless serviceable possibility the Blue Jays ought to at the very least take into account dealing for. The 32-year-old’s profile is considerably like Bard’s when it comes to walks (4.5 BB/9) and strikeouts (11.3 Ok/9), although a few of his anticipated hard-contact peripherals are somewhat nearer to the fringes (.408 xSLG).
Like Jiménez, Givens torques his hips and spins off his supply with a three-quarters arm motion that’s extra misleading in opposition to right-handed batters, who’ve slashed .217/.305/.313 in opposition to him in his profession. Lefties tag Givens somewhat more durable for a .222/.340/.422 profession slash line.
Since his debut in 2015, the Tampa native has quietly been one in every of baseball’s most underrated relievers, solely posting an ERA+ under 100 in 2020, the pandemic-shortened season. It’s additionally price noting Givens’ first five-and-a-half seasons got here as a member of the Baltimore Orioles, the place he would’ve confronted among the most harmful lineups in baseball within the AL East division.
The correct-hander has been traded to a contending crew on the final two deadlines. Givens has a mutual possibility for 2023, so when the Cubs decide to maneuver him — which it seems they are going to — Toronto ought to be prepared to half with a low-level prospect or two to make a deal occur.
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