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Looking at starters the Blue Jays could add for the final spot in the rotation
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Photo credit: Joe Camporeale-USA TODAY Sports
Ryley Delaney
Dec 30, 2024, 18:01 EST
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It’s safe to say that the Toronto Blue Jays need to add a starter this off-season.
Four of the five spots in the rotation are locked down, with Kevin Gausman, José Berríos, Chris Bassitt, and Bowden Francis occupying those spots. While Yariel Rodríguez can spot-start for the Jays, it’s been reported that they would like to sign a starter to push him to the bullpen.
Of course, the Jays were rumoured to be interested in the top pitching free agent, Corbin Burnes. Reportedly, the Jays along with the San Francisco Giants, offered him more money than the Arizona Diamondbacks, the the team he ended up signing with.
That begs the question, who should the Jays set their sights on to fill the final spot in the rotation?

Jack Flaherty

Jack Flaherty is arguably the best starter remaining on the market. Between the Detroit Tigers and the Los Angeles Dodgers, the 29-year-old posted a 3.17 ERA and a 3.48 FIP in 162 innings pitched, helping the Dodgers win their fourth World Series.
For his career, he has a 3.63 ERA and a 3.91 FIP in 829.2 innings pitched, with a 27.4 K% and an 8.5 BB%, pitching for the St. Louis Cardinals, the Baltimore Orioles, the Tigers, and the Dodgers.
Next season, he’s projected to have a 3.84 ERA and a 3.84 FIP in 170 innings pitched according to Fangraphs’ Steamer projection. Moreover, he’s projected to have a 25.2 K% and a 7.6 BB%, with the K% being well below the 29.9 K% he had in 2024.

Nick Pivetta

The Boston Red Sox offered Nick Pivetta a qualifying offer, which he promptly declined. Well, because of that, the Canadian right-handed starters market has been slow to develop, with the Blue Jays apparently having interest in him.
Last season, the 31-year-old had a 4.14 ERA and a 4.07 FIP in 145.2 innings pitched, with a 28.9 K% and a 6.1 BB%. It was a good season, but was it worth giving him a qualifying offer? Probably not.
For his career, he has a 4.76 ERA and a 4.36 FIP in 1029.1 innings pitched with a 26 K% and a 6.1 BB%. Steamer predicts he’ll post a 3.93 ERA and a 3.86 FIP in 162 innings pitched, with a 27 K% and a 7.6 BB%.

José Quintana

If the Jays want to add a back-end for the rotation starter who could eat innings, José Quintana could be a good option for them.
The 35-year-old posted a 3.75 ERA and a 4.56 FIP in 170.1 innings pitched with the New York Mets in 2024, with an 18.8 K% and an 8.8 BB%. For his career, Quintana has a 3.74 ERA and a 3.70 FIP in 1969.2 innings pitched, playing for the Chicago White Sox, Chicago Cubs, Los Angeles Angels, San Francisco Giants, Pittsburgh Pirates, and St. Louis Cardinals.
Quintana’s projections see him posting a 4.34 ERA and a 4.41 FIP in 171 innings pitched, with an 18.4 K% and an 8.4 BB%. Of the four locks in the Blue Jays rotation, that would be the worst ERA and the second-worst FIP.

Andrew Heaney

One thing that Kevin Gausman, José Berríos, Chris Bassitt, and Bowden Francis have in common is that they’re a right-handed pitcher. To add some balance to the rotation, the Jays could look to add a left-handed pitcher such as Andrew Heaney.
Last season with the Texas Rangers, the 33-year-old had a 4.28 ERA and a 4.04 FIP in 160 innings pitched, with a 22.9 K% and a 5.9 BB%. For his career, Heaney has a 4.45 ERA and a 4.37 FIP in 1014.1 innings pitched, with a 24.7 K% and a 6.9 BB%.
As for his projection, Steamer predicts he’ll have a 4.25 ERA and a 4.31 FIP in 158 innings pitched, with a 22.3 K% and a 7.3 BB%. He certainly wouldn’t be the worst option for the Blue Jays to add this off-season.
As always, you can follow me on Bluesky @ryleydelaney.bsky.social.

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