Written By: Jovan Popovic
Edited By: Colin Mari
Through the 2021 season there was one consistent theme when it came to the losses suffered by the team: The bullpen was an abomination. Prior to the trade deadline, they couldn’t be trusted for even two innings, and fans regularly saw all-star caliber closer Jordan Romano run out to close games, frequently appearing for more than the standard inning, and in unfavorable situations (ie. 5+ run leads) simply due to a lack of better options.
Between a poor bullpen, and several injuries through the year, there was a point in time where names like Tyler Chatwood, Rafael Dolis, Tanner Roark, Travis Bergen, Jacob Barnes, Ty Tice, and Jeremy Beasley were being called. It was an ugly time, and featured many nearly unwatchable games for fans. This included a game where Chatwood was brought in and walked four consecutive batters while having thrown only six strikes in 36 pitches. The bullpen was in the middle of a meltdown.
Leading up to the trade deadline, the front office worked some magic, and things started to turn around. The Jays acquired Adam Cimber, Trevor Richards, and Brad Hand to bolster the back end. Hand didn’t work out well, being waived after only 11 games with a 7.27 ERA (with Toronto). Richards and Cimber on the other hand (no pun intended) worked out incredibly well. Cimber would become as dependable as it gets, throwing 37.1 innings with a 1.69 ERA. Richards would become a consistent, but less dominant arm for the team, finishing with a 3.31 ERA over 32.3 innings.
By the end of the year the Jays had a solid base for their bullpen. Flamethrower Jordan Romano occupied the closer role while Cimber, Richards and Mayza became solid late inning options. The team won’t be losing any of these players over the offseason, but that doesn’t mean the bullpen shouldn’t be a priority.
After the playoff success of the Atlanta Braves in the 2021 postseason, one can only wonder how well the Blue Jays would have fared had they gotten in. Their bullpen wasn’t comparable to many of their counterparts, especially when viewing the Braves dominant back end with Will Smith, Tyler Matzek, Luke Jackson, AJ Minter, and others. Their current roster might be set to make the playoffs in 2022, but what does it matter if they can’t hold leads in the most important games of the year.
Presently the only cement names are the previously mentioned Romano, Cimber, Richards and Mayza. This leaves four more spots available. Assuming Stripling takes the long relief role (as is highly anticipated), there are still three spots remaining, and not many dependable names to take them.
The current names available for the team include Ryan Borucki, Anthony Castro, Julian Merryweather, Tayler Saucedo, Kirby Snead and Trent Thornton. Should Merryweather return to form by next season, he will easily lock down a spot in the bullpen. However, after shaky seasons for the rest of the guys, there is significant room for improvement.
To secure the final two spots, the team needs to pursue a righty and a lefty for a standard bullpen makeup. A total of four candidates, all from free agency, have been identified as possible suitors for the team.
To start, the lefties. The first left hander the Jays should consider is one that nearly every baseball fan has heard of after his legendary postseason run with the Cleveland Indians a few years back. Andrew Miller.
Miller, currently 36 years old, just completed a three year deal with the St. Louis Cardinals. Over his time there he pitched to a 4.34 ERA across 103.2 IP. It’s clear that he is not the LCS MVP that he once was, and that his time as a league all-star is behind him, although that doesn’t mean that he can’t still be a valuable asset for a team in 2022.
The Jays aren’t looking for a closer. They already have a solid back end, and are just looking to fill out the remaining spots. Miller provides a consistent, and dependable arm - a high floor type player. He is also a highly experienced 16 year veteran who has seen it all.
The final, and possibly most important part of Andrew Miller for the Jays is his pitch mix: A fastball, and a slider. This is something fans have gotten used to, after seeing all the success stories Pete Walker has created amongst fastball-slider guys. He won’t be the next Robbie Ray. He won’t compete with Romano for the closer role. He will however provide Montoyo and co. with stability as a solid option for the middle innings. With a little magic from Pete Walker as well, he could easily become a seventh inning guy with a sub 4.00 ERA. This is a low risk, low cost signing that could really benefit the team.
The second player doesn’t require as much explanation as to the logic behind it, and that’s because this player has spent the last two and a half years as a highly dependable option in the back end of the Athletics bullpen. Jake Diekman has become a clear backup closer and eighth inning guy for the team after pitching to a 3.25 ERA over 102.1 innings, including a 3.86 ERA in 2021, and a 0.42 ERA in 2020.
The 34 year old 10 year veteran is another player with a fastball-slider mix, but in contrast to Miller, is a high velocity pitcher. Diekman would provide the Jays with a late inning option, and could fit right in with the back end guys, such as Romano and Cimber. It would come with a high price tag, but could very well be worth it after seeing the team take so many losses on behalf of the bullpen in 2021. A deal with Diekman is very possible, and would take approximately two to three years at somewhere around $5-$8 million annually.
The first righty target is former Miami Marlin and Cleveland Indian, Nick Wittgren. Despite a subpar 2021 with a 5.05 ERA in Cleveland, Wittgren has been one of the most dependable arms in the league over the last several years. From 2018 to 2020 he finished with ERAs of 2.94, 2.81, and 3.42, proving high potential and a strong track record.
Being only 30 years of age, Wittgren is a potential long term option for the Jays as well. Should they be able to secure him in a low cost multi year deal - which is entirely possible - he could end up being one of the key signings for the team. Although he would serve as a middle inning option to start, he could quickly find himself returning to the back end, and functioning right alongside Trevor Richards.
The final free agent target for the team is former Cincinnati Reds righty, Michael Lorenzen. Like Wittgren, Lorenzen had a poor 2021 season, but has a strong track record. Young in comparison to the other mentioned options, the 29 year old with a five pitch mix could easily be one of the more appealing options to the team, should they believe that they can turn him around.
Although the basic stats may not be there, Lorenzen lights it up in the advanced metrics. During his 2020 season, when he last qualified for these metrics, he finished in the 96th percentile in hard hit percentage, the 97th percentile for average exit velocity, the 91st percentile for whiff percentage, and had several other high placing categories. Those viewing his baseball savant page will find it full of bright red, as he continually places in the high tiers of nearly all metrics. This is a serious bounce back candidate, and coming off a terrible year with a small market team, there is a real opportunity for the Jays to scoop him up for cheap.
Lorenzen is likely the best option available, assuming they can get him for the right price. He is a young, high potential player, and fits the team well.
Between the four potential candidates, any combination will likely get the job done. Although the Jays bullpen is better than it was, it could certainly use at least one more strong upgrade before leaving the final spot up for grabs in spring training.
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