Photo credit: Raymond Carlin III-Imagn Images
The Blue Jays have been aggressive this winter, but there is one glaring hole left in the bullpen that needs to be filled before pitchers and catchers report.
We all know the pain of watching a lead evaporate in the late innings. It's a trauma every Toronto fan carries from last October.
Ross Atkins has done the heavy lifting by bringing in Dylan Cease and Kazuma Okamoto to bolster the roster.
But a championship team is built on the backs of its unsung heroes, and right now, the left side of our bullpen looks thin.
That is exactly why the latest chatter linking the Jays to veteran lefty Danny Coulombe makes too much sense to ignore.
He isn't the flashy name that sells jerseys, but he is the guy who gets the out when the game is on the line.
Last season, split between the Twins and Rangers, he posted a rock-solid 2.30 ERA in 55 appearances.
More importantly, he has held left-handed hitters to a .233 average over his entire career.
With Brendon Little (Drafted 1st Round, 2017 by Cubs) and Mason Fluharty (Drafted 5th Round, 2022 by Toronto) as the main southpaw options, we are banking heavily on inexperience.
Adding a battle-tested arm like Coulombe gives manager John Schneider a safety valve he desperately needs.
On top of that, Coulombe is expected to land a one year deal worth around $4-5 million on a one year deal which is a bargain for what he bring to the bullpen.
The bullpen needs a calm heartbeat in the chaos
We aren't looking for a savior; we are looking for stability. Coulombe brings a 1.16 WHIP from last season, proving he doesn't give away free passes.
Imagine the peace of mind knowing you have a guy who can come in with runners on base and actually throw strikes.
It’s the kind of under-the-radar move that separates contenders from pretenders in September.
At 36 years old, he won't command a massive multi-year deal that cripples the payroll.
This is a low-risk, high-reward play that fits perfectly into our "win now" window.
If the goal is to finally bring the World Series trophy back north, you can't leave any stone unturned. Sign the man, solidify the pen, and let’s get to work in Dunedin.
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| POLL | ||
FEVRIER 9|393 ANSWERS Blue Jays closing in on bargain deal with 2.21 ERA pitcher Do you think the Blue Jays bullpen is currently good enough to win a World Series without another addition? | ||
| Yes | 189 | 48.1 % |
| No | 204 | 51.9 % |
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