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Blue Jays 2024 Player Review: Chad Green effectively filled in as closer in the midst of injuries
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Photo credit: Nick Turchiaro-Imagn Images
Nick Prasad
Oct 23, 2024, 12:00 EDTUpdated: Oct 23, 2024, 13:13 EDT
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The risky business of the Blue Jays investment into relief pitcher Chad Green paid off. Green was a crucial part of the Blue Jays paper-thin bullpen and filled gaps the club needed to be filled. 
A few off-seasons ago, Toronto’s front office used optimism and a timeline-based approach in their decision to sign Green. The right-hander underwent Tommy John surgery while with the New York Yankees during the 2022 season, which set him back to late 2023. His return plan and contract were set up more so for the benefit of the future. 
The veteran right-hander made 12 appearances with Toronto in September of 2023 after working back from surgery and the team liked what they saw, so the Blue Jays activated a team option in Green’s contract to keep him for the 2024 and 2025 seasons. Given the injuries to the bullpen this season, that was a smart decision by the Blue Jays.

Chad Green in 2024…

  • Appearances: 53
  • Innings Pitched: 53 1/3
  • ERA: 3.21
  • Saves: 17
  • Blown Saves: 3
  • Strikeouts: 46
  • Walks: 14
  • FanGraphs WAR: 0.0
  • Salary: $10.5 million
Green’s final stats included 53 1/3 innings pitched in 53 game appearances. He finished with a 3.21 ERA and converted 17 saves in 20 opportunities. The righty allowed 41 hits and 19 of 20 runs were earned. He struck out 46 hitters and walked 14, with 210 batters faced. He finished with a 1.031 WHIP. 
Toronto’s bullpen struggled mightily in 2024 and Green was one of only a couple arms that the Blue Jays could trust in late-game, high-leverage situations. Closer Jordan Romano missed much of the year due to injury and other late-inning arms, such as Tim Mayza and Erik Swanson, weren’t as effective as they had been in previous seasons. 
Green deployed in the occasional set-up role with the Yankees. This brought confidence that he was able to take the next step and close out games. He took this role with confidence as he recorded 17 saves with only three blown saves.
Overall, his three-pitch selection is closer quality and good to work one to two innings per appearance. His fastball rating was high, as it was up to 95.5 mph and equivalent to 60% usage. The slider worked 39% as his second most used pitch. The four-seam pulled a 15.3% put-away rate with 25 strikeouts. His slider was his out-pitch, rating a 16.5% put-away rate and 21 strikeouts. Batting averages for both pitches stayed under .270.
Signing Green was a gamble for the Blue Jays but the decision has been a success. His overall track record has shown nothing but competence and reliability on the mound throughout the years. Green is signed through 2025, and he will be a free agent in 2026. He can be an important bullpen piece for 2025, staying in a set-up role when Romano returns. 

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