The Blue Jays have optioned hurlers Anthony Kay and Sean Reid-Foley, Ben Nicholson-Smith of Sportsnet.ca reports on Twitter. That provides some clarity to the team’s pitching plans.
Both of these pitchers featured among the conceivable possibilities for a rotation slot. But the upgraded Toronto staff doesn’t have many openings and there are quite a few candidates. Trent Thornton and Shun Yamaguchi appear to be the front-runners.
It’s still possible that either or both will end up seeing action in the majors. They’ve each done so already, though obviously neither was able to sew up a long-term spot.
Kay, 25 tomorrow, came over in the Marcus Stroman trade. The southpaw had a few ups and downs but mostly logged good results last year in the upper minors. In 133 2/3 total frames, he worked to a 2.96 ERA with 9.1 K/9 and 3.8 BB/9.
Reid-Foley is a bit younger. He has consistently produced strong strikeout numbers but hasn’t yet managed to tamp down on the free passes. In 120 2/3 innings last year at the Triple-A and MLB levels, he produced 133 strikeouts and 86 walks.
Why are teams optioning players if the season is delayed? Will there be spring training before the season or is that done with potentially the whole season? Just really curios?
because they need to get down to 26 men eventually. these moves were going to happen anyways.
My first guess was service time…I’m assuming teams from a roster perspective will still have to get to the 26 man rosters eventually, especially with so much still up in the air from the MLBPA and the league. Nothing is settled so makes sense to get to the rosters and then go from there.
i always feel like most pitchers have the ability to surpass their ceilings over time, but Thornton just screams 5th starter to me.
No surprises here. Blue Jays were active this offseason addressing pitching and didn’t believe Kay was ready for the show at this time. Reid-Foley looked better in Spring, but as the article states he needs to stop walking guys. Still time for these guys to turn things around and hopefully there will be season this year to prove it.
Reasonable take on things. Agreed.
google.com/amp/s/lifestyle.clickhole.com/heartbrea…
Lol
Why haven’t the Jays moved Reid-Foley to the ‘pen yet? His high-octane stuff would work better there and it would likely benefit his abysmal walk rate. The ship has sailed on Sean as a quality major league starter, and he looks to be a hard-throwing late reliever or possibly even a closer if the Jays can’t resign or extend Ken Giles.
he was relatively productive in the Majors as a starter last year and didnt exactly show well in short spurts this spring.
Everyone needs time to adjust, I’m thinking long term.
Sometimes a pitcher who walks the park is even worse out of the bullpen. I agree though he should be transitioned there. He’s been passed by multiple minor league pitchers on the depth chart.
The ship has sailed after 16 mlb games split over 2 seasons? For a 24 yr old?
Brother.
Pretty easy to convert someone to the pen. Not so easy the other way. That’s why teams keep their top arms as starters as long as possible.
Thornton all the way is the BlueJays 5th starter. Gucchi is a reliever.
Someone please show SRF how to control his pitches and he can be a money starter.
Kay is a 4 or 5 in a MLB rotation. If there is a season we will see him again this year.