The Blue Jays have officially announced their signing of right-hander Chris Bassitt. To make room on the 40-man roster, left-hander Anthony Kay has been designated for assignment.
A first-round selection of the Mets in 2016, Kay was seen as a potential quick-to-the-majors starter based on the strength of his control. He underwent Tommy John surgery just a few months into his professional career, however, costing him the entire 2017 campaign. Kay returned with a new curveball to pair with his fastball-changeup combination, working his way to Triple-A by 2019.
Midway through that season, New York dealt him to the Blue Jays alongside Simeon Woods Richardson to land Marcus Stroman. Kay got to the big leagues briefly at the end of the year, making three appearances with Toronto. He’s appeared at the MLB level in each of the three subsequent seasons, though he’s yet to establish himself as a consistent presence on a big league staff.
Kay has made 28 MLB appearances, seven of which were starts. Over 70 2/3 innings, he owns a 5.48 ERA. Kay has averaged 94 MPH on his fastball and punched out a solid 23.5% of batters faced, but the plus control that was once his calling card has dipped. He’s walked nearly 12% of big league opponents, and the Jays have bounced him on and off the MLB roster the past few seasons.
Through parts of three Triple-A campaigns, the UCONN product owns a 6.02 ERA in 107 2/3 frames. He was limited to eight outings and 14 innings at that level this year, losing much of the season on the minor league injured list. Kay looked rusty in that stretch, surrendering 14 runs with 15 strikeouts and 11 walks.
Toronto will now have a week to trade Kay or place him on waivers. The 27-year-old still has a minor league option year remaining, so another team could stash him in Triple-A for a season if they’re willing to keep him on the 40-man roster. With between one and two years of MLB service, he won’t reach arbitration until after the 2024 season at the earliest.
Give this kid a chance
no
Someone will give him a chance but not a contender. He hasn’t been able to be a productive major league pitcher and a contender can’t afford giving him any more on the job learning time.
A team who will suck anyway like the pirates, rockies, As or so probably will give it a try, worst case he sucks and helps you getting a better draft pick (or now lottery odds).
Definitely. Hopefully the Yankees sign him for the bullpen, with an opportunity to eventually start.
As a Blue Jays fan, I also hope the Yankees sign him.
Well that closes the book on the Marcus Stroman trade. Kay was a bust, Woods- Richardson likely is as well, but at least we used him to help fetch Berrios.
So was AJ Cole he was a waste.
Woods-Richardson just turned 22…the biggest bust in that trade is Berrios.
How can you say that SWR is likely a bust? He just came off a good season with the Twins’ Double-A and Triple-A affiliate and has only made one Major League start.
Blue Jays got fleeced in that trade.
They flipped SWR w/ another possible bust in Austin Martin for Berrios.
Kay will probably get claimed by Baltimore or Tampa and end up pitching well next year
Yeah but its not what the prospects turn into from the Jays point of view. Its what their value was at the time of the trade. The Jays overpaid.
In other words could those same prospects (plus a couple more) been used in a Juan Soto trade for example or some other player that had,at the time of the trade,a higher value then Berrios?
No
Berrios had a lot of value at the time of the trade.
Absolutely would not have moved the needle for Juan Soto. The shine has already been dimming on Martin and SWR. They would’ve been 4th and 5th pieces for a guy like Soto.
I had that thought also , but if the Jays felt martin was gonna be a bust is not possible they wanted to cash in on the current evaluation?
With Gallo and Benni coming off the market, looks like trade is the only avenue left for the Jays in LHH outfielders
Varsho.
Reynolds.
Anyone else?
Im still hoping for a healthy Conforto. The Gallo acquisition might make Max Kepler available in Minnesota but that would be pretty underwhelming imo.
Forgot about Conforto. But “healthy” is subjective when it comes to him.
I’d like to see a big trade akin to the Alomar Carter trade
Ship out Bo and Gurriel with Kirk or Moreno to get another great SP and better LHH OF. Dunno what team that lines up with. Haven’t put any thought into it because, why? Lol.
That requires relying on Orelvis to be the new SS or riding with Espinal for the time being.
Maybe even Swanson in yhat scenario?
Jesus, the Bo slander on the world wide web.
Maybe Conforto?
People will groan, but the Jays could sign Matt Carpenter and give him 2-3 starts a week in LF. He won’t win any Gold Gloves, but they have Tapia for a late inning defensive replacement. If he hits anything like he did last season, he gives that lineup a lot of balance.
Tapia is a free agent. No longer on the roster
Tapia is a free agent now. No longer on the roster. And he was a bad defender this past year.
My mistake. Should have checked. However, Tapia plays a minor, easily replaceable role in this scenario.
This I think is the market they will be in for a bat unfortunately. I like that suggestion alot
Reynolds is not happening . I say that as someone who did a prayer circle November 1 hoping Jays would get him
Based on kiermier interview I think it’s possible no other significant players get added on the offensive side . I very much hope they add to the pen at least . I was pulling my hair out last season having the exact same bullpen issues we had in 2021 with Jays shocked it was the same while only adding Garcia ….. I hope this winter is not the same
I dunno. Bullpen is looking pretty deep.
There’s only 1 “elite” guy, Romano. But the rest are certainly above average. And cant ask for much more than that from. Releivers. If they were that good they’d be starting.
The point is their bullpen is a noticable step down from the bullpens of the other teams they will compete with in the post season . It’s not a very good pen . It’s average exactly .
Rooting for Kay, as my son hit a one-hop grounder to second off him in HS. Brush with fame.
Paging Tampa Bay.
Wouldn’t mind Kay getting an invite to the Mets spring training as a reliever
Me either
I agree. bring him back, maybe work with those that made him successful and maybe reinvigorate that arm and skill again.
Pirates will sign him
UConn*
M’Kay
Hope the young man gets a good opportunity. Showed flashes in minors for sure in late ‘10s
He can join the Yankees TV Booth alongside his Father, Michael.
Good Luck in the future Special Kay.