Although the Toronto Blue Jays are having a disappointing season, they are reportedly likely to hang on to left-handed pitcher J.A. Happ.
Back in 2015, the Toronto Blue Jays made the postseason for the first time in 22 years. Late last season, they clinched a playoff berth for a second consecutive year.
In 2017, however, the Blue Jays have not exactly been looking like a playoff team. Entering play on Monday, Toronto is tied with the Baltimore Orioles for last place in the AL East with a record of 42-49. The Blue Jays trail the Boston Red Sox by nine games in the AL East and are currently 5.5 games out of an AL Wild Card spot.
Will the Blue Jays be sellers?
With the non-waiver trade deadline now just two weeks away, many are beginning to wonder if the Blue Jays might become sellers this year. One player who has come up in trade rumors is 2015 AL MVP Josh Donaldson, with the St. Louis Cardinals being one of the teams rumored to have interest.
Another name that has come up recently is left-handed pitcher J.A. Happ. According to Ken Rosenthal of FOX Sports, however, the Blue Jays are not likely to deal the veteran southpaw.
Sources: #Brewers showing interest in #BlueJays’ Happ as well as #Athletics’ Gray. Others also on Happ, but “highly unlikely” he gets moved.
— Ken Rosenthal (@Ken_Rosenthal) July 16, 2017
#BlueJays plan to compete in ’18; Happ under contract for $13M. Interest in him stems in part from lack of quality SP in upcoming FA class.
— Ken Rosenthal (@Ken_Rosenthal) July 16, 2017
Happ first came to Toronto in the summer of 2012, after being acquired from the Houston Astros. He posted mediocre numbers over two and a half seasons with the Blue Jays before being traded to the Seattle Mariners for Michael Saunders. Halfway through the 2015 campaign, Happ was traded to the Pittsburgh Pirates and suddenly went 7-2 with a sparkling 1.85 ERA (211 ERA+) and a 1.03 WHIP over 11 starts.
More from Call to the Pen
- Philadelphia Phillies, ready for a stretch run, bomb St. Louis Cardinals
- Philadelphia Phillies: The 4 players on the franchise’s Mount Rushmore
- Boston Red Sox fans should be upset over Mookie Betts’ comment
- Analyzing the Boston Red Sox trade for Dave Henderson and Spike Owen
- 2023 MLB postseason likely to have a strange look without Yankees, Red Sox, Cardinals
Happ’s return to Toronto
Happ was able to parlay his impressive showing with the Pirates into a nice payday, returning to the Blue Jays on a three-year, $36 million deal. Though some wondered if he might revert to his previous form, Happ went an impressive 20-4 with a 3.18 ERA (134 ERA+) and a 1.17 WHIP for Toronto last season. He also threw a career-high 195 innings and finished sixth in the AL Cy Young voting.
In 2017, Happ’s numbers haven’t been quite as sharp, but he has still been a very dependable arm. Over 11 starts, the 34-year-old left-hander has gone 3-6 with a 3.54 ERA (129 ERA+) and a 1.25 WHIP. With a season and a half left on his contract at a reasonable price, one could see why Happ would be an attractive target for teams looking to give their starting rotation a boost for both this season and next.
Next: Could Yankees reunite with David Robertson?
As Rosenthal describes, however, the Blue Jays are looking to contend once again in 2018. Starting pitchers Francisco Liriano and Marco Estrada, who have both underperformed this season, are slated to reach free agency this winter and could both conceivably be traded before then. However, keeping Happ in a mix that also consists of youngsters Aaron Sanchez and Marcus Stroman could be the start of a great rotation.
Though he certainly has trade value, the Blue Jays’ chances of contending in 2018 would likely be greater with Happ than without him.