Toronto Blue Jays: Signing Gerrit Cole is not going to happen

Gerrit Cole is one of the best pitchers in the free-agent class this offseason, leaving Toronto Blue Jays fans hoping the team takes a chance at signing the dominant right-hander.

Coming into the 2019 season, the Toronto Blue Jays were all about the rebuild. With the 2020 offseason soon approaching and the organization having some money to spend, some key questions still remain.

It is no secret that the Toronto Blue Jays need starting pitching depth, and by god do they need it badly. Even general manager Ross Atkins confirmed this during a press conference on October 1, 2019, making it clear the team will need to improve upon their rotation, whether through trade or free agency.

While Gerrit Cole is the clear front runner for one of the best arms the market this offseason, it is unrealistic to think that the Blue Jays will make a play for the top arm.

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For one, history is not on the side of the organization, as the most expensive contract they have ever dealt out was to Russell Martin at just over a $20 Million per year average. Considering Martin is a position player, the Blue Jays have been quite the opposite when signing starting pitchers, garnering the services of J.A. Happ and Marco Estrada to deals longer than one year. While these two pitchers were effective in Toronto, they are not the ‘ace’ material that other teams possess.

Another avenue the team has explored is signing bounce back candidates like Clay Buchholz and Matt Shoemaker to short term deals (one year and/or options), hoping they can find their groove in order to trade them away at the deadline for younger players with more contractual control (Ross Atkins just loves having controllable players). Again, this is great in signing depth starters in the 3-5 rotation area, but none are bonafide ace material.

The Toronto Blue Jays could improve their rotation through trades, as previous general manager Alex Anthopoulos attempted to do with the Miami trade in 2012 and the acquisition of David Price during the 2015 playoff run. Both trades proved to have their benefits for the team, and similar scenarios could be explored this offseason.

The only caveat is that A.A. is no longer with the team, and while Ross Atkins and co. have made some profitable trades in acquiring players like Trent Thornton and Ken Giles (closer, not a starter), they have not pulled off the massive blockbuster that makes fans excited to return to the stadium in 2020.

That’s not to say they haven’t tried, and by no means does this make them the worst front office because they haven’t completed such a trade, it’s just the facts. They have traded veteran players for younger prospects with potential and controllable years, rather than an established veteran who can come in and strike fear in the hearts of opponents when he is on the mound. The type of ace pitcher that teams can’t figure out game in and game out.

If you are a Blue Jays fan, I would set your expectations to other free agent starters this offseason like Zack Wheeler, Kyle Gibson, and Jake Odorizzi. All can contribute on the major league level, but none are the #1 bonafide ace of any squad.

I would also tell Toronto fans to be patient and way for some of your homegrown talent, because pitchers like Nate Pearson and Eric Pardinho are coming up the pipeline and are looking impressive along the way.

So while Toronto Blue Jays fans may be preparing for a tumultuous offseason, I wouldn’t go buying a Gerrit Cole jersey anytime soon. Stick with Bo Bichette or Vladimir Guerrero Jr., as Vladito is guaranteed to be around for at least 7 years (silly CBA loopholes).