MLB Rumors: Blue Jays Make Offer To Free Agent Starter

The Toronto Blue Jays fell short in their pursuit of top free agent starter Justin Verlander, but they're still working the room, looking to find a new arm for the rotation. 

They're in talks with a number of free agent hurlers, and according to Jays beat writer Ben Nicholson-Smith, the team has made an offer to left-hander Andrew Heaney. He then adds, however, that "more than 10 teams are said to have expressed recent interest."

Heaney broke through with a career year this past season with the Los Angeles Dodgers, posting a 3.10 ERA with a spectacular strikeout rate of 13.6 K/9. He whiffed 35.5% of batters faced, notes Nicholson-Smith, well above the MLB average of 22.1%. He also had a 1.09 WHIP and a remarkable 110:19 K/BB ratio in 72.2 innings.

Now 31, will Heaney be able to repeat that success after a career ERA of 4.75 heading into last season? As also noted in the report, Toronto pitching coach Pete Walker has been able to coax the most of some of his recent pupils, including Robbie Ray, who won a Cy Young under Walker with the Jays in 2021. 

We recently had a look at three top potential landing spots for Heaney.


Photo: John E. Sokolowski-USA TODAY Sports