The Blue Jays, in the last few days, got their hands on two starting pitchers: Dylan Cease and Cody Ponce. The latter has just arrived in town after a stay in Korea, with the biggest contract in baseball history for a guy returning from Korea. We are talking about $30 million over three years.
Did playing with Hyun-Jin Ryu help tip the scales for the Blue Jays?
More and more, we feel that the Toronto organization is placing emphasis on strikeouts. We want pitchers who force hitters into the air on a regular basis.
Is this something that works against Jose Berrios, a pitcher whose name is coming up these days in trade rumors? It doesn't help his cause, in any case.
We are hearing more and more that the Blue Jays could sell him – although it would not be easy, considering the fact that his value is low on the market. Ponce is not just there as an insurance policy, he who signed for $30 million.
And clearly, the Blue Jays' depth in the starting rotation is crazier than ever. This gives the club plenty of options if it is ever decided that Berrios is no longer part of the plans.
Right now, Kevin Gausman, Trey Yesavage, Shane Bieber and Dylan Cease have a place in the rotation. Eric Lauer, Bowden Francis, Adam Macko, Jake Bloss, Ricky Tiedemann and other prospects will battle Berrios for the last available position.
Finally, some real depth… which can also help the bullpen.
But inevitably, this leads us to believe that the Blue Jays could really put down Berrios, who has not been seen in the team's entourage in the playoffs. Even though he was injured, he was not with the other cripples of the club in the dugout of the Blue Jays.
Something is wrong with Berrios and the clues leading to his potential departure are starting to pile up. Because an “insurance policy” that earns tens of millions of dollars per year doesn’t work.
- A good contact in Korea for the Blue Jays.
- Next challenges: relief help and a stick.
