Toronto Blue Jays preparing major move after acquiring Max Scherzer
PUBLICATION
Ryan Hall
January 31, 2025 (9:19)
Photo credit: Dan Hamilton-USA TODAY Sports
Max Scherzer has agreed to a deal with the Blue Jays, per @JonHeyman.
The team now can move forward with their plan to move
Yariel Rodriguez to the bullpen as this will give the Blue Jays more flexibility in their lineup and help shore up an area of pressing need.
Questions remain on Yariel Rodriguez's effectiveness as a reliever
There were two schools of thought on what the Blue Jays had in store for Rodriguez and his services. Many feel that it's hard to be confident on what Rodriguez could offer as a full-time starting pitcher and it seems the team is leaning towards the latter of being part of the relief pitching.
As the Toronto Blue Jays seek a starting pitcher that would bump Yariel Rodriguez to the bullpen, it's worth examining how the righty would fare as a reliever. Here's what @NickAshbourne found.
The Blue Jays could probably live with, but to take things a little farther, we can find some pitch comparisons in our sample - specifically for Rodriguez's four-seam fastball and slider, which he threw 68 per cent of the time in 2024, and would likely lean on even more in relief. - Nick Ashbourne Sportsnet
The addition of
Max Scherzer has certainly helped clarify what the starting rotation will look like on opening day.
The Blue Jays have been working hard for the past several weeks in order to acquire one to several free agents as the team is willing to spend the money and improve their offense and pitching.
Yariel Rodriguez has a 2.35 ERA with 13 strikeouts in his first 2 @MLBstarts!
Blue Jays attention fully on acquiring Pete Alonso and or Alex Bregman
With Scherzer locked in, the blue jays management team are fully engaged to try to sign both
Pete Alonso or
Alex Bregman who are some of the best available free agents left in this year's off season pool.
Adding both of these players or one of them will significantly help the Blue Jays offence and the team will look vastly different compared to last season and should be able to compete with the American League East and the rest of baseball.
This off season and current season coming will be likely the judgement point for this current administration as Atkins and President Mark Shapiro have been running this organization for 10 years and will need more success for them to remain in charge.
Previously on Blue Jays Insider
POLL |
31 JANVIER | 4487 ANSWERS Toronto Blue Jays preparing major move after acquiring Max Scherzer Do you think moving Blue Jays pitcher Yariel Rodriguez to the bullpen is a good idea? |
Yes | 3956 | 88.2 % |
No | 531 | 11.8 % |
List of polls |
|
1 hour ago | By Bobby Ohr New hire Kevin Kiermaier seems to have big plans for the Toronto Blue Jays |
|
2 hours ago | By Bobby Ohr Surprising update announced regarding Toronto Blue Jays catcher Alejandro Kirk |
|
8 hours ago | By Bobby Ohr Looks like Toronto Blue Jays shortstop Bo Bichette's time in Toronto is coming to an end |
|
8 hours ago | By Bobby Ohr Toronto Blue Jays manager John Schneider on Kevin Gausman's weight |
|
9 hours ago | By Bobby Ohr Bowden Francis' fate in the Toronto Blue Jays starting rotation confirmed |
|
9 hours ago | By Bobby Ohr Former Toronto Blue Jays pitcher signs with the Arizona Diamondbacks |
|
10 hours ago | By Ryan Hall Bad news announced for Toronto Blue Jays George Springer |
|
18 hours ago | By Ryan Hall The MLB makes announcement regarding Toronto Blue Jays superstar Vladimir Guerrero Jr |