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MLB: Picking the top 5 rotations coming into the 2023 season

By Jack McKenney

NEW YORK, NEW YORK - SEPTEMBER 07: Gerrit Cole #45 of the New York Yankees in action against the Minnesota Twins at Yankee Stadium on September 07, 2022 in the Bronx borough of New York City. The Yankees defeated the Twins 7-1. (Photo by Jim McIsaac/Getty Images)
NEW YORK, NEW YORK - SEPTEMBER 07: Gerrit Cole #45 of the New York Yankees in action against the Minnesota Twins at Yankee Stadium on September 07, 2022 in the Bronx borough of New York City. The Yankees defeated the Twins 7-1. (Photo by Jim McIsaac/Getty Images) /
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After a wild offseason with big names like Jacob deGrom and Justin Verlander finding new teams, which teams now own the best starting rotations in baseball?

Let’s break down our top five starting rotations coming into the 2023 MLB season.

5. Toronto Blue Jays

Kevin Gausman, Alek Manoah, Chris Bassitt, Jose Berrios, Yusei Kikuchi/Nate Pearson

The Blue Jays have invested over $420 million in their starting rotation over the last four offseasons, transforming this group into a World Series caliber pitching staff. The rotation is led by Kevin Gausman and Alek Manoah, both of whom were sensational last year. Gausman had a career season, leading all AL starters in FIP (2.38) and WAR (5.7). Manoah built on his incredible rookie season, earning his first All-Star appearance, while finishing third in AL Cy Young voting. Manoah posted a 2.24 ERA over 196 innings of work, giving him the second-lowest ERA of an AL pitcher in an age 24 season or younger.

Free agent signing Chris Bassitt will join this group, becoming yet another elite right-handed starter in this rotation after signing a three-year contract worth $63 million this offseason. Often overlooked, Bassitt had his third consecutive season with a sub-3.50 ERA last year, earning the number three spot in a loaded Mets rotation last year.

It was a disappointing year for Jose Berrios, who received a seven-year, $131 million extension last offseason. While Berrios had occasional quality starts, he was arguably the most disappointing starter last season. He finished with a 5.23 ERA over 172 innings, with Toronto deciding against starting him in the postseason. Regardless, I think Berrios is just too good to have back-to-back awful seasons.

With the spotlight directed towards Manoah and Gausman, I think Berrios will bounce back this year. Yusei Kikuchi rounds out this rotation in the five spot, posting less-than ideal numbers similar to Berrios last year. I’m not as sold on Kikuchi, who has posted statistically below-average numbers every season. Last year was Kikuchi’s worst season in terms of ERA+, finishing at 75 (league average is 100).

Former top pitching prospect Nate Pearson is someone who Toronto could call on if Kikuchi continues to struggle. The 26 year-old righty is recovering from Tommy John surgery, but could serve as a solid depth piece in this loaded rotation.

Toronto has done everything they can to put themselves in a winning position in the AL East, establishing themselves with a true playoff-contending rotation. While the rotation is loaded at the top, can its depth hold up throughout the course of the season?

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