Toronto Blue Jays need more pitching after trading for Steve Matz
It was made clear by the Toronto Blue Jays front office that the team was going to look at adding to the pitching staff and they made that clear with the addition of Steven Matz.
By trading Sean Reid-Foley, Yennsy Diaz and Josh Winckowski, the Blue Jays paid a small price in order to acquire a pitcher that they believe can bounce back from a tough 2020 season. This was made clear when Ross Atkins explained what they like about Matz.
"“We’re excited about his ability to get swing-and-miss, we’re excited about the power to his stuff,” Atkins said on Sportsnet 590 the Fan. “Incredibly hard working, incredible teammate.”"
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Matz certainly has the tools to provide the Blue Jays rotation with a boost, especially as a fourth or fifth option. The real question is whether Pete Walker can get him back on track and what other moves the team has planned.
It’s no secret that pitching remains a concern heading into the season considering the workload the bullpen faced in the shortened season. Injuries are something the team will have to deal with which is why the priority should be looking to add more arms.
Sportsnet’s Shi Davidi said the team could look at moving Tanner Roark in order to free up some room on the payroll and open up a spot for some competition with the younger arms too. It wouldn’t be out of the realm of possibility that one more pitcher is added through trade or another one-year deal (unless they go after a more prominent name which seems unlikely).
Toronto Blue Jays pitchers worth adding whether through trade of free agency
There are still many pitchers the Blue Jays could add even though Trevor Bauer is probably not a possibility at this point.
We have heard that James Paxton was on the Blue Jays radar, along with Jake Odorizzi and it’s no secret that either pitcher would be an upgrade to the top of the rotation. There is also the possibility of the Blue Jays bringing back Taijuan Walker considering he can eat up innings and saw success with Toronto after he was acquired at the trade deadline.
Some have also brought up the idea of trading for Luis Castillo and if Toronto can convince the Cincinnati Reds to take on Roark as part of the deal then that would be an ideal scenario over someone like Sonny Gray.
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How should the Blue Jays solve the rest of the pitching staff? Does it make sense to trade for a pitcher or sign one in free agency? Let us know in the comments below.