Toronto Blue Jays "Interested" In Bringing Back Free Agent Pitcher
Jose Berrios was supposed to fill that role, but he struggled through the worst season of his career posting a 5.23 ERA, a 1.42 WHIP and just 7.8 K/9, all of them career lows for him since his rookie year in 2016.
It was Ross Stripling, instead, who stepped in admirably to fill the No. 3 role, and he merely had the best year of his career. Stripling posted a 3.01 ERA with a 1.02 WHIP and 10 wins—all career bests. But alas, Stripling is now a free agent, and many pundits are wondering if the Jays will pony up for what is expected to be a very nice payday—the 33-year-old Stripling's first such windfall.
A report today says the Jays are indeed angling to keep Stripling if they can.
#BlueJays have been in touch with Ross Stripling & expressed interest in bringing him back
— Ben Nicholson-Smith (@bnicholsonsmith) November 8, 2022
Jays have also had trade interest in their catchers and relievers per Ross Atkins. Possible Jays make a move, but they don’t plan to force anything
Jays beat writer Ben Nicholson-Smith writes that the team has been in touch with Stripling and "expressed interest in bringing him back."
Toronto has until Thursday to make Stripling a Qualifying Offer, if they choose, which is set at $19.65M. Making the QO ensures that the team receives draft pick compensation for a free agent that signs elsewhere. However, that $20M-ish price tag might be a bit too pricey for the Jays' liking. They could try to bring him back on perhaps a two-year deal for somewhere between $20-25M. But whether Stripling will push for a 3-year deal is unknown.
Photo: Charles LeClaire-USA TODAY Sports
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