Toronto Blue Jays
Apr 25, 2015; St. Petersburg, FL, USA; Toronto Blue Jays losing pitcher Brett Cecil (27) is taken out of the game by pitching coach Pete Walker as Toronto Blue Jays catcher Russell Martin (55) stands by in the eighth inning against the Tampa Bay Rays at Tropicana Field. Mandatory Credit: Jeff Griffith-USA TODAY Sports
The Jays have experienced their fair share of trouble at the back-end of the bullpen. As a group, they have the second-most blown saves (9) and a league-worst 40% save conversion rate.
Brett Cecil opened the year as closer but relinquished that title after one blown save and feelings from the coaching staff that he lacked sharpness. Rookie Miguel Castro tried his hand at the job and didn’t fare much better, ceding the role back to Cecil in late April after his second blown save.
20-year-old Roberto Osuna, another rookie, has been revelatory, putting up a 1.75 ERA in 25.2 innings with 25 strikeouts. Cecil has also looked much improved since re-taking the closer’s job. Since April 28 he’s surrendered just one run in 11 innings. It’s still a tenuous situation, however, and Toronto might consider taking a flyer on Soriano in hopes that he could bring some stability. They will certainly remember his previous successful run of closing games in the AL East.