MLB Rumors: 3 Potential Destinations For Andrew Heaney

When all the big arms are off the board in free agency (i.e. Jacob deGrom, Justin Verlander, Carlos Rodon), teams will start looking at the next tiers of starters to add to their rotation.

After you get past the Jameson Taillons, the Chris Bassitts and the Kodai Sengas, you come to the next very intriguing tier. And it's here that Andrew Heaney jumps out at you.

The Los Angeles Dodgers took a chance on the hard-throwing Heaney last season with an $8.5M contract, and it paid off—when he pitched. He did miss nearly half the season due to shoulder troubles, and did give up plenty of hard contact and a lot of home runs, but by maximizing the strikeouts and limiting the walks, the overall results were quite positive with a 3.10 ERA.

Will Heaney be able to repeat that success after a career ERA of 4.75 heading into last season? A number of teams think so, and at 13.6 K/9, and no draft pick compensation attached he will be in demand. Here are three potential destinations for the 31-year-old left-hander.

Los Angeles Dodgers

The Dodgers got to see close-up what Heaney could do once he really maximized his craft. In 14 starts and two relief appearances, Heaney posted a 3.10 ERA with a 1.09 WHIP and a ridiculous 110:19 K/BB ratio in 72.2 innings.

The team will be without ace Walker Buehler for likely most of the year, and Tyler Anderson is gone down the I-5 to the Los Angeles Angels, so bringing Heaney back would be a sensible move for the Dodgers, unless they're able to land one of the elite arms on the market (and even if they do).

New York Mets

The Mets could lose 3/5ths of their rotation this winter in free agency. They'll need to fill those holes somehow. With Heaney's newfound pitch mix and success, GM Billy Eppler will take notice, as he's familiar with the southpaw from his time with the Angels.

Toronto Blue Jays

The Jays will likely be looking to replace No. 3 starter Ross Stripling, who hits the free agent market at the age of 33, and the team has given no indication of a desire to bring him back. Even if they do though, there is a need for more starting depth. Toronto has been linked to Heaney before, and they are once again.

As the #BlueJays seek pitching, a name on their radar is LHP Andrew Heaney per source.

Jays pursued him aggressively last year, but he signed with Dodgers & posted elite 35.5% K rate (MLB avg: 22.1%) with 6.1% walk rate & 3.10 ERA in 72.2 IP (14 starts).
— Ben Nicholson-Smith (@bnicholsonsmith) November 11, 2022