The Toronto Blue Jays tender relief pitchers Erik Swanson and Zack Pop to new contracts.
On the heels of yesterdays decision to non-tender Jordan Romano and Dillon Tate, the Toronto Blue Jays agreed to a one-year $3 million contract with Eric Swanson thus avoiding arbitration.
Eric Swanson as you may remember was part of the deal that sent Teoscar Hernandez to Seattle for he and Canadian pitching prospect Adam Macko in 2022.
Speaking of Canadian pitchers, Brampton Ontario native Zach Pop was tendered a contract while its terms have not been disclosed, it is projected to be in the 1-year $1.1 million range.
With that being said it's easy to understand why the Blue Jays let Jordan Romano go at $8 million per season with his injuries and uncertain elbow issues going forward in 2025.
Ross Atkins will now need to fill the bullpen void with a legitimate closer, a power lefty to replace hard throwing Genesis Cabrera and a bulk guy, who can eat innings like Ryan Yarbrough did in 2024.
Pitching Coach Pete Walker had great things to say about Yarbrough in a story Sportsnets Shi Davidi wrote earlier this year.
«I've enjoyed watching him pitch from a distance in the past and now seeing him on our side, I realize how valuable he is to a rotation and a bullpen. For me he is like a glue between the cracks.»
The 32 year old soft tossing Yarbrough is a free agent who sportrac projects a 2-year deal in the $9 million dollar range.
The Washington Nationals non-tendered their closer RHP Kyle Finnegan on Friday.
Finnegan had 38 saves and made the All-Star team in 2024 with a total of 66 saves over the last two seasons.
Finnegan's average fastball in that time was very respectable 97.4 mph. His strikeout rate was (22.1%) and walk rate (8.9%) was right around league average.
He may be an option for mid to high leverage middle relief situations but not as a legitimate closer because of his susceptibility to home runs with an average of 1.35 dingers per 9 innings.
So how can the Blue Jays find a legitimate closer?
It'll probably have to be via trade because there isn't really much of a market for a true closer via free agency.
Who Ross Atkins will trade for remains a mystery. It'll be interesting to see in the coming weeks and months how this front office plans to fix the Blue jays bullpen.
This Blue Jays fan can't wait
| POLL | ||
NOVEMBRE 23 | 41 ANSWERS The Toronto Blue Jays tender relief pitchers Erik Swanson and Zack Pop to new contracts. Do you have confidence the Blue Jays will be able to put together an elite bullpen? | ||
| Yes | 10 | 24.4 % |
| No | 31 | 75.6 % |
| List of polls | ||
