Toronto Blue Jays: Ranking the 3 biggest offseason moves
By Kevin Henry
For the Toronto Blue Jays, 2022 represents a chance to not only get back to the postseason, but also to be one of the leading preseason contenders to represent the American League in the World Series.
As we discussed in our preseason power rankings, Toronto will have plenty of competition in not only the American League West, but also the American League to earn their place in the Fall Classic. However, the moves made the Blue Jays this offseason strengthened a roster that won 91 games last season.
Let’s rank the 3 biggest moves made this offseason by the Toronto Blue Jays
We start the rankings with the signing of free agent pitcher Kevin Gausman, inked to a five-year, $110 million deal after pitching the last two seasons in San Francisco. The 31-year-old right-hander logged an overall 3.00 ERA/3.02 FIP/1.057 WHIP with the Giants, helping the franchise earn the National League West title last season with a franchise-record 107 wins.
The last two seasons in San Francisco have been his best during a nine-year MLB career that has also seen time with the Baltimore Orioles, Atlanta Braves, and Cincinnati Reds. Now, he’s signed for five years in Toronto and the Blue Jays will need him to play a big role in a rebuilt rotation.
Gausman was the fourth overall pick in the 2012 MLB draft. Over the last two seasons in San Francisco, he’s started to settle into the pitching expected from that high of a draft pick. The Blue Jays are banking on it continuing in Toronto.