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The Toronto Blue Jays have already gotten to work on the free-agent pitching market, bringing back Robbie Ray on a one-year contract worth 8-million-dollars. They could look to do the same with another familiar face soon in Taijuan Walker.
Like Ray, Walker was acquired at last season's trade deadline to bolster the starting pitching as the team made a push for the playoffs. The Jays traded "a player to be named later" to the Seattle Mariners for Walker. At the time of the trade, he had a 2-2 record with an ERA of 4.00 in 11 games started.
When Walker arrived in Toronto, he showed up and was a massive contributor in the Jays making the playoffs. He started six games for the Blue Jays down the stretch and had a 2-1 record with an insanely impressive 1.37 ERA. Walker looked dominant at times, striking out 25 batters while only walking 11. He was everything the Blue Jays could have hoped for when they acquired him and more.
The Blue Jays have stressed they would like to improve on their starting pitching for next season as it’s pivotal always to keep improving on that position to become a contender in this league. However, bringing back Walker after they have already committed to bringing back Ray doesn’t mean the Jays have to stop there. It just means they have more depth at starting pitching than they’ve had in quite some time.
If the Jays bring back Walker, they could still be in the market for the number three pitcher via free agency or trade. An organization can never have enough starting pitching as injuries happen and adjustments need to be all the time. Bringing back Walker right now means the Jays could enter next season with a starting five of Ryu, Pearson, Walker, Roark, and Ray. It’s a good rotation but could still use a boost, so if the Jays also want to acquire a number three pitcher, they could see what the trade market looks like for a player like Roark, who didn’t have a stellar first year with the organization.
Also, bringing back Walker likely wouldn’t break the bank. Despite an incredible six games with Toronto, he doesn’t hold an astonishing track record of being that consistent. He isn’t a .137 ERA pitcher; he and the organization know that. What he can be, though, is a reliable number three or four in a rotation. He could fetch a short-term deal for around 10 million a season. He’s only 28, which sets him up for possibly a big payday in a season or two if he can continue to play at such a high level for the Blue Jays.
Finally, the reason why the Jays rushed to sign Ray before the market started to get active was because they were familiar with him! With a record of 1-1 and an ERA of 4.79 in five games (4 of which were starts), Ray didn't perform incredibly with the Blue Jays. However, there must have been things about Ray's game that the organization and coaching staff liked, and they believe they can work with him to help get him back to his 2017 playing style where he went 15-5 with an ERA of 2.89.
The Jays are familiar with Walker, and unlike Ray, he excelled with the Blue Jays. He brought in much-needed stability on the rotation and looked like an excellent fit here in Toronto. Walker has also had a first-hand look at the Blue Jays' young core, which should excite him. Toronto is a team on a significant upwards trajectory, and there isn't much reason to believe he can't be an excellent addition to this team moving forward.
Atkins has stressed over and over about the importance of acquiring pitchers that can make an impact. Walker doesn't need to be the final addition to the rotation this off-season, but he has shown the ability to be an essential piece.
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