Atkins wants to boost the pitching depth of the Blue Jays

CARLSBAD, Calif. – Launch, pitch and pitch. And then more pitching.

It is a priority that the Toronto Blue Jays General Manager, Ross Atkins, does not hesitate to declare openly.

With a large group of position players highlighted by Vladimir Guerrero Jr. bubbling atop the minor league system and a number of names like catcher Danny Jansen and the field player Lourdes Gurriel Jr. already arrived in the majors, the objective of this winter is to build a pitching depth around them.

It remains to be seen how to carry out this task, but Atkins is ready to do this through a calculated mix of trades and free competition, a process that began when the 45-year-old and his team of decision makers arrived at the Omni La Costa Resort & Spa about 50 miles north of San Diego for the annual meetings of the MLB GM.

Before spending, the Jays, like most teams this week, are studying possible league games.
But pitching is the complete goal.

"It could be free will, it could be through trade," said Atkins. "Any way to get more depth for our pitching will really prepare us to complete this core of young players.

"We'll see if it represents one or two junior players or one or two major league players. In reality, we have the opportunity to do this in free mode and time will tell, but I think we also want to understand the opportunities we have through trade, before being aggressive. "

There is a surplus of infielders on hand.

A player who could attract interest is the short stop Aledmys Diaz, which was worth 1.6 WAR in just 130 games last year, hit 18 homers and posted an average of 102 wRC + in the league.

There is also Brandon Drury, Devon Travis and Yangervis Solarte, whose $ 5.5 million option was denied last week but remains on the list as the untendered deadline approaches November 30.

One or two players could also be shipped.

Kevin Pillar, Teoscar Hernandez, Randal Grichuk, Billy McKinney … make your choice.

One might wonder if returning one of the above parts would be profitable, but making money in some cases, or incorporating a perspective into an agreement can change things quickly.

There are no untouchables on this list, and although the possibility of exchanging Marcus Stroman or Aaron Sanchez seems far away depending on the circumstances, Atkins will be listening if the teams call.
Even if they have years – two in a row in Sanchez's case – if a team offered a value that corresponds to a realistic and healthy ceiling for either of the two right-handers, the Jays will not be suspended at phone, closing the door of the room or leaving the table.

"We can not miss an opportunity," Atkins told the specific question of Stroman, Sanchez and Justin Smoak, whose $ 8 million contract for 2019 is perfect for a candidate in need of a cold snap. "If there is one, if something seems logical to us, we will have to take it into account. But that's not what we're spending our energy on. "

At first glance, Stroman or Sanchez trading does not help to satisfy the need for more pitching, of course, but they could yield multiple arms, ready for MLB or otherwise.

If spring training were to start today, the rotation would be composed of Stroman, Sanchez and Ryan Borucki, with names like Sean Reid-FoleyThomas Pannone, Sam Gaviglioand a host of untested weapons competing for positions.

Ideally, two starting veterans would be added, allowing Reid-Foley and Pannone to start Triple-A.

In the office, it's Ken Giles, Ryan Teperaleft-handed Tim Mayzaand not much else in terms of proven or even semi-tested weapons, unless you count a Joe Biagini revolve around.

This area of ​​the list will likely be reconstituted in the same way it has been over the past two seasons, with low-cost veterans having short-term agreements.

With teams increasingly reluctant to spend a lot of money on free agency for players who will provide little added value and who are generally on the wrong side of the aging curve, creative trades are in vogue, and the Jays would like to be at the meeting. forefront of this action over the next few days and weeks.

"It's definitely more, in recent years, more active on the trading front, early in the off season," Atkins said. "I would expect this to continue, just to eliminate those opportunities before anyone is too aggressive in free will. Time will tell us."