3 big questions for the Toronto Blue Jays in the offseason
By Kevin Henry
The Toronto Blue Jays saw a promising 2022 season come to a screeching halt with a Wild Card round loss to the Seattle Mariners. Now what comes next for the Blue Jays?
There are plenty of decisions ahead for the Toronto Blue Jays this offseason as they try to figure out the roster combination that will land them back atop the American League East.
3 burning questions for the Toronto Blue Jays this offseason
3. What will the Blue Jays do to improve the bullpen?
“We’re aware that we need to be one of the best bullpens to be there at the end of the year,” Toronto general manager Ross Atkins said in his postseason press conference. Closer Jordan Romano (2.11 regular season ERA and 36 saves) leads a core group that is returning from last season, but David Phelps is one name who may not return. The 36-year-old right-hander appeared in 65 games for the Blue Jays last season (2.83 ERA/3.16 FIP/1.304 WHIP), but enters the offseason as a free agent. Will Toronto bring him back?
However, the Blue Jays will also likely need to strike in free agency to build up the bullpen to be “one of the best,” so look for Atkins to pursue help there in a way that supplements the core pieces already in place.
Toronto’s bullpen is certainly a place where the Blue Jays can improve. The question becomes exactly how they will do that and who might be on their short list from outside the organization.