Former Toronto Blue Jays pitcher Ryan Yarbrough is proving Ross Atkins wrong
Photo credit: Adam Hunger / Jays Journal
Facing an urgent need for starting pitching, the Blue Hats had two pitchers from last season who could have filled that role, but they chose to re-sign them.
Both players have since delivered strong performances in 2025, leaving Toronto to regret those choices.
Former Blue Jays stars are quickly turning heads with their strong play.
Edward Eng from Jays Journal writes that the widely talked-about Yusei Kikuchi was traded by the Blue Jays to the Houston Astros in exchange for three promising prospects at last year's trade deadline.
"Kikuchi would enter free agency following the conclusion of the 2024 MLB season, handing the Blue Jays a glorious opportunity to bring the fan favourite back to town. They ended up deciding otherwise as Kikuchi would end up signing with the Los Angeles Angels to a three-year deal." -Eng
Through 2025, the 34-year-old veteran has impressed with a strong 3.01 ERA, striking out 87 batters across 89 2/3 innings over 16 starts.
"His current ERA mark is actually his best of his MLB career to date. In addition, had Kikuchi received some much better run support, he wouldn't be sporting the dismal 2-6 record that he currently has with the Angels." -Eng
The Blue Jays could definitely benefit from having a pitcher like Kikuchi anchoring the back end of their rotation right now.
"The decision that has hurt even more for the Blue Jays than the Kikuchi one, was the decision they made just prior to the 2025 season regarding pitcher Ryan Yarbrough. The 33-year-old compiled a stellar 2.01 ERA, 0.80 WHIP, along with 26 strikeouts in 31 1/3 innings pitched over his final 12 appearances of 2024 with Toronto, following his trade from the Los Angeles Dodgers. Many had expected Yarbrough to be a key member of the Blue Jays pitching staff going forward." -Eng
So far this season, Yabrough has firmly established himself as a reliable starter for the Yankees, playing a key role in stabilizing their rotation.
With his versatility as an effective swingman, Yarbrough would have been an ideal addition for the Blue Jays, who struggles with injuries and inconsistency in both their starting rotation and bullpen throughout much of 2025.
| POLL | ||
JUIN 22 | 2161 ANSWERS Former Toronto Blue Jays pitcher Ryan Yarbrough is proving Ross Atkins wrong Which former Blue Jays player would you rather have back on the team today? | ||
| Yusei Kikuchi | 1537 | 71.1 % |
| Ryan Yarbrough | 624 | 28.9 % |
| List of polls | ||
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