Toronto Blue Jays address immediate need in bullpen and bench depth
The Toronto Blue Jays made their first attempt to improve the bullpen by acquiring Adam Cimber along with Corey Dickerson from the Miami Marlins.
It seemed like it was only a matter of time before the Toronto Blue Jays made a move to address the team’s biggest need.
The bullpen will be getting some immediate help in right-hander Adam Cimber as a part of a trade that also brings Corey Dickerson from the Miami Marlins for infielder Joe Panik and minor-leaguer Andrew McInvale according to Sportsnet’s Shi Davidi.
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Cimber isn’t the type of player that has the high velocity that can be used in leverage situations, although you never know with Charlie Montoyo. He can, however, generate weak contact and ground balls with a unique delivery which can help the Blue Jays transition towards their high leverage arms.
"“He’s going to help our bullpen a lot,” Montoyo told reporters. “What he does is gives us a different look. I’m really looking forward to adding him to the group. Just like everybody else, he’s going to get a chance to pitch in high-leverage [situations]. It’s funny because I just saw him in Miami — the first time I’ve seen him — and he looked pretty good. I love that different look he’s going to give us.”"
In 34.1 innings pitched this season, Cimber has a career-best 2.88 ERA with 21 strikeouts and 11 walks. At this point, Toronto can use all the help they can get in the bullpen and it didn’t cost them a lot to get it done.
Joe Panik was able to give Cavan Biggio a day off but moving him gives a player like Santiago Espinal, who is a better defensive option, more playing time. While the Blue Jays lose a left-handed bat off the bench in Panik, the front office made sure to offset the loss with a better option.
Corey Dickerson comes into play as an upgrade off the bench slashing .260/.321/.377 with two home runs and 14 RBIs but has been out of the lineup with a foot injury. As a lefty batter, the Blue Jays can use Dickerson as a defensive upgrade considering he is a proven Gold Glove calibre player but he’s also capable of starting too.
Toronto Blue Jays: Outfield depth could be used to improve other areas of the roster
Right now, the Blue Jays have four capable outfielders in Lourdes Gurriel Jr., Randal Grichuk, Teoscar Hernandez and now George Springer.
Fortunately, Hernandez can be used as a designated hitter but at some point, the team needs to decide whether they can continue to carry this surplus. Depth is always a good thing but when there are issues elsewhere that are preventing the team from being a contender, you have to use the depth to fix it.
So the real question is whether the front office is willing to use that depth to make a big move to help this team or explore other options? Many believe that either Lourdes Gurriel Jr. and Randal Grichuk would be the options in that scenario.
Many believe that Grichuk’s ability to play centre field gives him an edge over Gurriel considering Springer’s injury concern. At the same time, Gurriel has a great contract for the next two seasons and the Blue Jays also have one more year of arbitration.
At this rate, the Blue Jays don’t need to make this decision right away but at some point, it will be a talking point heading into the trade deadline.
Related Story. Four options to help the bullpen. light
What do you think about the Blue Jays trade? Should the team consider making a move with one of their outfielders or keep it status quo? Let us know in the comments below.