Blue Jays To Exercise Club Option On Reliever

This was pretty much a no-brainer for the Toronto Blue Jays. With a $3M club option on reliever Anthony Bass, the team has indeed exercised that option.

#BlueJays intend to exercise the $3 million contract option for Anthony Bass for next season

— Kaitlyn McGrath (@kaitlyncmcgrath) November 8, 2022

Bass was acquired by the Jays at the trade deadline from the Miami Marlins as an attempt to shore up the bullpen. Bass performed well for Toronto, posting a 1.75 ERA in 25.2 innings, with a 28:10 K/BB ratio. 

The 35-year-old has maintained an ERA of less than 4.00 in each of the past five years, while averaging about a strikeout per inning over that span. 

And while it's a good move for Toronto to keep Bass as a leverage arm in the 'pen, the team still needs to significantly add to the relief corps, as it was, overall, once again the main weakness in holding the team back from accomplishing its goal of a deep playoff run. 

The Blue Jays' bullpen accumulated a 3.77 ERA, 13th overall in the majors. With All-Star closer Jordan Romano for the 9th inning, and Bass slotting in for perhaps the 7th, they still need to find another couple of big arms for the back end. 

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