The #SFGiants and A’s completed a trade earlier today with OF Jonah Cox joining the Giants organization in exchange for RHP Ross Stripling and cash considerations.
Free Agent Profile: Ross Stripling had a tough season in 2024, but could be an option for the Blue Jays on a minor league deal
Photo credit: © Stan Szeto - USA Today
Nov 27, 2024, 10:00 ESTUpdated: Nov 29, 2024, 00:35 EST
Could the Toronto Blue Jays be interested in bringing back Ross Stripling?
Before the 2020 trade deadline, the Jays sent prospects Kendall Williams and Ryan Noda to the Los Angeles Dodgers, acquiring the right-handed pitcher nicknamed “Chicken Strips”. He was okay after the trade and had stretches of success in 2021, but the 2022 season was by far his best season in the big leagues.
This may be a hot take, but if not for Ross Stripling’s performance in 2022, the Blue Jays probably would’ve missed the postseason. Hyun Jin Ryu needed Tommy John surgery early in the season, and Stripling filled in the rotation for him.
That season, Stripling had a 3.01 ERA and a 3.11 FIP in 134.1 innings pitched, with a 20.7 K% and a 3.7 BB%. Thanks to the success, Stripling turned that season into a two-year deal worth $25 million, with a player opt-out after the 2023 season.
The question is, how did Stripling perform in his two seasons away from the Jays? Let’s find out.
Ross Stripling’s stats
Stripling signed that contract with the San Francisco Giants on December 13, 2022. He only spent one season with the Giants, where he had a 5.36 ERA and a 5.21 FIP in 89 innings pitched, along with an 18.4 K% and a 4.2 BB%. In February, the Giants traded him to their Bay Area rivals, the Oakland Athletics.
With the A’s, Stripling had a 6.01 ERA and a 3.89 FIP in 85.1 innings pitched with a 12.9 K% and a 5.8 BB%. Like the majority of his career, he started a handful of games and pitched out of the bullpen in the other games.
While Stripling’s ERA was horrendous, it is worth pointing out that the Athletic’s defence was the second-worst in the league, as they had a -64 Defensive Runs Saved and -42 Outs Above Average as a team. Only the Chicago White Sox were worse, as they had a -87 DRS and -46 OAA.
Despite a low strikeout rate and respectable walk rate, a large reason for Stripling’s low FIP (at least relative to his ERA) is thanks to keeping the ball in the park. Last season, he had a 0.74 HR/9 rate, the 22nd lowest in the league for pitchers with 80+ innings pitched. There were 157 pitchers in that sample size.
Ross Stripling’s contract outlook
Although there were some positives to take away from Stripling’s 2024 season, it wasn’t a great year in the grand scheme of things. It’s highly unlikely that Stripling will make anything close to his past deal, and Spotrac has his market value at $1.348 million on a one-year deal.
Comparable contracts are Mike Clevinger’s one-year deal worth $3 million, Carlos Carrasco’s one-year, $2 million deal, Matt Boyd’s one-year, $740,000 deal, and Tommy Milone’s one-year, $750,000 deal.
Is Ross Stripling a fit for the Blue Jays
The Blue Jays want to add a starter and fix their bullpen at the same time. Unfortunately, current-day Stripling doesn’t solve either problem.
With that being said if Stripling remains un-signed heading into Spring Training, the Blue Jays should seriously consider signing him to a minor league deal. The team has shown in the past to get the best out of Stripling, while his length from either the rotation or bullpen could give the Jays a good depth option in case of injuries.
As always, you can follow me on Bluesky @ryleydelaney.bsky.social.