Welp. It seems like a reunion between the Jays and Taijuan Walker isn’t going to happen, as the right-hander who pitched so well for them down the stretch last year has signed a two-year, $20 million deal (with a player option for a third year) to join the New York Mets.
I didn't find Walker all that appealing to watch, and frankly I'm happy we did not give him two years or more.
His career numbers are pretty good in the aggregate, but I found his pace on the mound and his tendency to nibble around the zone and create long at-bats reminded of post 2016 Aaron Sanchez. And, as a previous poster posted, he doesn't really have the "workhorse" innings totals or vibes I think this team needs. He looks like one hell of a physical specimen, but his delivery to me seems a bit wonky and twisty-turny and very max effort.
Hard to imagine the Jays have the $ to sign Odorizzi if the rumours are true and they're up against in budget wise. I don't know what that means in real dollars, but in a world where Sanchez gets $4.5m guaranteed and Walker gets a multi-year deal, I doubt Odorizzi drops to them for a song on the eve of ST. Hopefully they can get creative with the SP they do have - and Pearson is ready to take a full-time role - and they're good enough to make a good add at the deadline. Holy hell, hoping to be a deadline buyer again! What a world.
It doesn't make sense to me that they spent 18 million for one season of Semien then left the rotation so short. They are going to burn through the bullpen and taxi squad trying to get 3-4 starts a week with Matz, Roark, Strippling ... Two and 20 is reasonable for an effective #4.
Walker has no better career ERA than Roark (3.84 to 3.83). He's younger, but unlike Roark who has been a workhorse, has only pitched 150 innings once since 2015. But Roark is certainly relevant to the conversation because I don't think the Jays want to repeat that mistake. The Mets are on the hook for $20MM for two seasons, and $23MM if Walker rides them out for 3. I find it easy to see why the Blue Jays didn't make that commitment to Taijuan Walker. Lots of teams need pitching, like the Yankees and the Angels, but no one else wanted Walker for that amount either.
I didn't find Walker all that appealing to watch, and frankly I'm happy we did not give him two years or more.
His career numbers are pretty good in the aggregate, but I found his pace on the mound and his tendency to nibble around the zone and create long at-bats reminded of post 2016 Aaron Sanchez. And, as a previous poster posted, he doesn't really have the "workhorse" innings totals or vibes I think this team needs. He looks like one hell of a physical specimen, but his delivery to me seems a bit wonky and twisty-turny and very max effort.
Hard to imagine the Jays have the $ to sign Odorizzi if the rumours are true and they're up against in budget wise. I don't know what that means in real dollars, but in a world where Sanchez gets $4.5m guaranteed and Walker gets a multi-year deal, I doubt Odorizzi drops to them for a song on the eve of ST. Hopefully they can get creative with the SP they do have - and Pearson is ready to take a full-time role - and they're good enough to make a good add at the deadline. Holy hell, hoping to be a deadline buyer again! What a world.
Bummer.
It doesn't make sense to me that they spent 18 million for one season of Semien then left the rotation so short. They are going to burn through the bullpen and taxi squad trying to get 3-4 starts a week with Matz, Roark, Strippling ... Two and 20 is reasonable for an effective #4.
Walker has no better career ERA than Roark (3.84 to 3.83). He's younger, but unlike Roark who has been a workhorse, has only pitched 150 innings once since 2015. But Roark is certainly relevant to the conversation because I don't think the Jays want to repeat that mistake. The Mets are on the hook for $20MM for two seasons, and $23MM if Walker rides them out for 3. I find it easy to see why the Blue Jays didn't make that commitment to Taijuan Walker. Lots of teams need pitching, like the Yankees and the Angels, but no one else wanted Walker for that amount either.