Blue Jays Discussion: 2024-25 Off-season: The free agent watch begins (and sometimes old baseball radio broadcasts)
- Thread starter The Nemesis
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How will the Blue Jays fill Romano's shoes? - MLB.com
Free agency and trades: Who’s available?
Tanner Scott tops the bullpen market in free agency, fresh off a 1.75 ERA between the Marlins and Padres with the ability to close games. There’s a strong case for the Blue Jays to make one big-name signing in the bullpen and then surround that player with several depth moves, and Scott could be worth the significant multiyear investment at 30.
Carlos Estévez is another option, with 82 career saves and a 3.22 ERA since getting out of Colorado two seasons ago, though he’s not as overpowering as many relievers on the market. Former Yankees closer Clay Holmes and his 74 career saves is another option, while Kirby Yates, Jeff Hoffman, Kenley Jansen and old friend Yimi Garcia are also available.
The trade market -- where the Blue Jays could use their excess infield depth -- is attractive. Brewers closer Devin Williams is a year from free agency with a career 1.83 ERA and 68 saves, making him a very intriguing trade chip for Milwaukee. If the Cardinals truly pivot to a youth movement and aren’t competitive in 2025, Ryan Helsley represents the big fish on this market. Still just 30, Helsley led MLB with 49 saves in 2024.
Internal options and ideas
In October, GM Ross Atkins pointed to some of Toronto’s internal candidates who have experience closing games. Count Chad Green among them, with his 17 saves last season in Romano’s absence, and the Blue Jays are paying him $10.5 million next season for a reason. With Green’s strikeout rate (7.8 K/9) and peripheral numbers in 2024, though, he’s likely better suited for a high-leverage role.
Let’s say the same for Erik Swanson, who agreed to a one-year, $3 million deal on Friday to avoid arbitration. Swanson looked great down the stretch and isn’t getting enough attention as part of the solution in this bullpen, but in a perfect world, manager John Schneider can move Swanson, Green and another high-end arm around the sixth, seventh and eighth innings ahead of a shutdown closer.
This is what made Romano so valuable. Think of Swanson’s excellent 2023 season and Garcia in ’24 prior to the Trade Deadline. It’s such a luxury to have high-end options outside of the closer. They’re a manager’s favorite person.
Free agency and trades: Who’s available?
Tanner Scott tops the bullpen market in free agency, fresh off a 1.75 ERA between the Marlins and Padres with the ability to close games. There’s a strong case for the Blue Jays to make one big-name signing in the bullpen and then surround that player with several depth moves, and Scott could be worth the significant multiyear investment at 30.
Carlos Estévez is another option, with 82 career saves and a 3.22 ERA since getting out of Colorado two seasons ago, though he’s not as overpowering as many relievers on the market. Former Yankees closer Clay Holmes and his 74 career saves is another option, while Kirby Yates, Jeff Hoffman, Kenley Jansen and old friend Yimi Garcia are also available.
The trade market -- where the Blue Jays could use their excess infield depth -- is attractive. Brewers closer Devin Williams is a year from free agency with a career 1.83 ERA and 68 saves, making him a very intriguing trade chip for Milwaukee. If the Cardinals truly pivot to a youth movement and aren’t competitive in 2025, Ryan Helsley represents the big fish on this market. Still just 30, Helsley led MLB with 49 saves in 2024.
Internal options and ideas
In October, GM Ross Atkins pointed to some of Toronto’s internal candidates who have experience closing games. Count Chad Green among them, with his 17 saves last season in Romano’s absence, and the Blue Jays are paying him $10.5 million next season for a reason. With Green’s strikeout rate (7.8 K/9) and peripheral numbers in 2024, though, he’s likely better suited for a high-leverage role.
Let’s say the same for Erik Swanson, who agreed to a one-year, $3 million deal on Friday to avoid arbitration. Swanson looked great down the stretch and isn’t getting enough attention as part of the solution in this bullpen, but in a perfect world, manager John Schneider can move Swanson, Green and another high-end arm around the sixth, seventh and eighth innings ahead of a shutdown closer.
This is what made Romano so valuable. Think of Swanson’s excellent 2023 season and Garcia in ’24 prior to the Trade Deadline. It’s such a luxury to have high-end options outside of the closer. They’re a manager’s favorite person.
Last edited:
Scotianhab
Registered User
3 year deal would be ideal. With baseball though you have to overpay during free agency most times. Not alot of options after him.
They still lost 64 games last in the regular season. Anything can happen in the playoffs. GM's need to be smarter and more competitive in trades and free agents. Even the best of teams lose.
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