The Blue Jays have designated right-handed reliever Drew Storen for assignment, Barry Davis of Sportsnet was among those to report (Twitter link). To take his roster spot, the team has recalled fellow righty reliever Ryan Tepera from Triple-A Buffalo.
[RELATED: Updated Blue Jays Depth Chart]
Storen’s designation is the latest chapter in a disastrous 2016 for the 28-year-old. After Storen served as a reliable option for the Nationals from 2010-15, the Jays acquired him for outfielder Ben Revere in January and hoped he’d add a quality arm to their bullpen. Storen went on to throw 33 1/3 frames of 6.21 ERA ball in Toronto despite posting quality strikeout and walk rates of 8.64 and 2.7 per nine innings, while also generating grounders at an above-average clip (47.2 percent). A sky-high home run-fly ball rate (17.6 percent, well above his career mark of 8.2) and a drop in velocity helped lead to Storen’s undoing with the Jays.
Given his track record in Washington, where he picked up 95 saves and compiled a 3.02 ERA, 8.65 K/9, 2.59 BB/9 and 44.9 percent ground-ball rate, Storen seems likely to catch on elsewhere for the stretch run. If he clears waivers and signs with another team, that club would only be responsible for a prorated portion of the league minimum. Aside from that figure, the Blue Jays would be on the hook for what’s left of Storen’s pricey $8.375MM salary.
About time . This one didn’t work out.
Next one is Chavez.
What’s wrong with Chavez? He had a 3.25 ERA until Saturday, when he “took one for the team” by staying on the mound during a blowout.
Perfect project for bosio n the Cubs..he’ll never make it to em tho
Not a bad fit for the Mets, bullpen piece with upside who won’t cost prospects- moving from AL East to NL East, and from Toronto to Citifield should cut down that HR rate.
I could see the Mets picking him up, they do well in this department.
Kansas City needs to jump on signing him. Soria was a mistake.
Pittsburgh would definitely put a claim in. Doubt he even makes it to them.
Both teams lost that trade.
Not really. Revere is still starting in Washington. He has had a bad year no doubt, but at this point he still has a chance to regain form. Storen is done in Toronto.
Revere could also continue to stink and rack up more negative value. As of right now, both players have been terrible, that’s the bottom line.
Why do you guys think anyone would put a claim in? About $4MM left on his contract (give or take) and an era over 6. Why would any team want to pay him more than the prorated minimum?
Stay as far away from Storen as you can! No you do not want your Royals, Cubs, or Bucs to pick him up! Revere pitching would be better than Storen.
This guy needs a complete overall of his mechanics.. maybe Tampa Bay? Sure glad hes gone, he was absolutely terrible! Chavez is next on the block if he continues to struggle. His fastball is so straight.
I haven’t looked at Storen’s mechanics. What exactly has changed?
Im guessing that he needs to alter his mechanics because he just cant throw a strike.. His biggest problem is he couldnt throw the ball where he wanted too. Some other Jays fans have been saying that he may have an “attitude” because he wasnt the closer for the JAys,, just like when the Nats moved him out of the closer roll when they acquired pabalon.
He was pitching in a blowout game the other day, jays down 9-2 or something and he hits the first batter!
Oooh he threw strikes, but everything was center cut and his velocity has diminished from when he was good… I agree his mechanics need fixing. That hesitation in his delivery isn’t helping anything
I wouldn’t mind the Yankees getting a look at him. If he can return to his Washington form, he’d look mighty good in the pen or in a trade.
As a Jay fan I hope the Orioles./RedSox go for him! He sucks so bad, that the Jays will pass them just by having Storen out there on the mound. Unfortunately after Nationals threw him under the bus, he has been a broken man! Look at him on the mound. He looks terrified to be out there! Real bad!
Maybe Giants can try to fix him?
No one will claim him. He has too much money left on his contract. The Jays will release him and a contending team will likely give him a minor league contract where he will straighten things out in AAA for a little bit and come back in mid-August and help them push for the playoffs while attempting to build some free agent value.
Sure, it’s a fair bit of money, but it’s only money. Some teams may be more willing to part with greenbacks than prospects to try and fill a bullpen void. Sure, every team could pass him up and try to get him cheap, but it’s just a lottery whether he chooses your team at that point. He’ll have plenty of offers I’m sure.
Texas has had a terrible season out of the bullpen. Maybe they’ll pick him up???
Newest Pittsburgh reclamation project? They worked wonders with both Grilli and Melancon after they flopped elsewhere.
Boston? They could use a couple relievers.
He would be perfect for my Cardinals