MLB Free Agents: 2021 free agency outlook (AL East)
Toronto Blue Jays
A growing trend lately, and one examined by Cory Hildenbrand of the Jays Journal a few months ago, is the number of teams that have begun offering long-term extensions to their young core players. The Blue Jays have several players that fit that mold in Bo Bichette, Vladimir Guerrero Jr., and Cavan Biggio — a group of homegrown youngsters that could help lead Toronto into its next phase of contention. However, the Jays also decided to become big players this past winter and spent more cash than usual, taking on over $40 million for the 2020 season with three crucial signings (Travis Shaw, Hyun-Jin Ryu, and Tanner Roark) as well as a trade with the Milwaukee Brewers that netted pitcher Chase Anderson.
It’s nice to see the Blue Jays showing some interest in competing, and even with the team’s recent additions it’s 2020 payroll still sits at a healthy $134.5 million (only around $8 million higher than last season’s). With only three players set to earn over $10 million in salary in 2021 — as part of just $66.8 million currently committed — Toronto is in a good position to start locking up its young stars on team-friendly extensions.
2021 MLB Free Agents
- Ken Giles, RP
- Matt Shoemaker, SP
- Joe Panik, 2B
- Anthony Bass, RP
The 29-year-old Giles, fresh off a 1.8-WAR 2019 season in which he struck out 14.09 batters per nine and posted a stingy 1.87 ERA with Toronto (both rates good for top-10 among all relievers in the majors), is set to earn $9.6 million in 2020 as part of a one-year deal he signed with the Jays to avoid an arbitration hearing. Although, as recent as Wednesday there have been calls for Toronto to lock up the hard-throwing right-hander… which makes sense when looking at his dominant numbers, plus given the fact that he himself has already spoken about his desire to re-sign with the Blue Jays. A strong 2020 season will only help make that happen for Giles.
Shoemaker was also given a one-year pact for the 2020 season ($4.2 million) to avoid an arbitration hearing, though his 2019 season was far less impressive to that of Giles, thanks to a torn knee ligament on April 20 that cost him much of the campaign. Still, Shoemaker will hold down the no. 4 spot in the Blue Jays’ starting rotation this year and has a chance to earn his place in Toronto’s future if he can get back to his 2017 days with Los Angeles Angels when he posted a sub-4.00 ERA and was worth 3.5 WAR.
Panik was added to Toronto’s 40-man on March 16 and will be expected to provide depth in the middle infield this season, while earning $2.850 million as part of a minor league deal he signed back in mid-January. Currently 29-years-old, Panik isn’t exactly what he was in the early portion of his career (when he was 2-2.5 WAR player with the San Francisco Giants from 2014-17), but he’s a career .271 hitter that has always flashed a solid glove. Biggio and Brandon Drury currently stand in front of Panik on the Blue Jays’ second base depth chart.
Lastly, the Jays also avoided an arb hearing with Bass by handing out a one-year, $1.5 million salary to the 32-year-old for this season (after claiming him off waivers from the Seattle Mariners back in October). Bass racked up the most appearances of his career in 2019 with Seattle, which is a good thing as Toronto is expected to give him a long look as the team’s main set-up guy, in front of Giles. Bass, a former 2nd round pick (2008), owns a career 4.38 ERA in eight big league seasons.