Perhaps the Blue Jays rotation is just fine the way it is
The Toronto Blue Jays have been linked to many starting pitchers this offseason. Corbin Burnes, Max Fried on the free agent side, and Luis Castillo and Jack Flaherty through hypothetical trades. But in reality, the rotation actually might be one the Blue Jays strengths heading into 2025.
Yes Kevin Gausman and Chris Bassitt both had down years after a strong 2023, but they still won 10 and 14 games apiece, and Gausman has been Mr. Reliable.
Plus, both of them finished in the top 10 in Cy Young voting in 2023. Couple that with a career year by Jose Berrios, who recorded a career-high 16 wins, and the emergence of Bowden Francis, and the Blue Jays rotation could one of the best in baseball.
Berrios probably gets the opening day nod on the strength of his 2024 season, though Gausman is just as deserving. Bassitt slots in at number three, while as of right now, Francis is the 4th starter.
The only question mark is whether the fifth spot goes to Yariel Rodriguez or Jake Bloss. While Rodriguez' 1-8 record may indicate that is he not a good fit, keep in mind that he was on an innings limit throwing only 86 innings in 21 starts.
If the Blue Jays decide that Bloss is ready, then he could snag the final rotation spot with Rodriguez serving as the long man/hybrid role out of the bullpen. There have also been rumblings of trying him as the closer.
Either way, the 5th starter doesn't need to go and win 15 games, he only needs to go five innings.
Bowden Francis has 10-15 win potential. If Bassitt has a bounce back season that's another 12-15. Combine that with Berrios and Gausman and that's roughly 60 wins right there.
And while the Blue Jays still may add a starter, if they went into 2025 as is, they would be in pretty good shape.
| POLL | ||
DECEMBRE 29 | 208 ANSWERS Perhaps the Blue Jays rotation is just fine the way it is Who will be the Jays fifth starter? | ||
| Yariel Rodriguez | 58 | 27.9 % |
| Jake Bloss | 42 | 20.2 % |
| someone else | 108 | 51.9 % |
| List of polls | ||
