The Blue Jays have signed Matt Wisler to a minor league contract, as per the right-hander’s MLB.com profile page. Wisler has been assigned to Triple-A Buffalo.
It was a pretty short stint for Wisler in free agency, as the Tigers just released him from an earlier minors deal last week. After signing with Detroit in the offseason, Wisler didn’t receive a call-up, as his 2023 campaign has been spent entirely at Triple-A Toledo. The righty posted a 4.40 ERA over 47 innings with the Mud Hens, with a solid 25.2% strikeout rate but also an uncharacteristically high 12.4% walk rate.
Jordan Romano and Trevor Richards could both be back from the 15-day injured list within the week, but signing Wisler is a no-risk move that gives the Blue Jays a bit of extra bullpen depth at Triple-A. Toronto’s relief corps has been a strength all season, but with the Jays in a tight battle for a wild card berth, any extra pitching could be a help in the event of a future injury, or a performance drop-off by any of the current relivers. Wisler brings plenty of experience, as a veteran of eight Major League seasons with seven different teams from 2015-22.
The last three of those seasons have been very productive in a bottom-line sense, as Wisler has a 2.59 ERA over 118 innings with the Twins, Giants, and Rays since the start of the 2020 campaign. However, his 3.68 SIERA is notable higher, as some shaky peripherals have kept Wisler as a journeyman rather than locking down a spot in a big league bullpen. The Twins opted to non-tender Wisler after the 2020 season due to an ungainly 13.2% walk rate, and he benefited from a lot of BABIP luck in both 2020 (.241) and in 2022 (.198) as a member of the Rays. Wisler also had a notable velocity drop last season, further informing Tampa Bay’s decision to outright him off their 40-man roster last September.
After his 2.25 ERA last season, why did he not get to even pitch in MLB at all this season?
Google it.
I wish baseball reference had spring training stats readily available. I was also confused as to why Appel was released so quickly until I saw his #s.
No. Tell us
No. You tell us.
Wisler had a 4.40 ERA and a high walk rate for the Mud Hens this year. That alone explains why he didn’t get called up.
I was asking about before the season. Apparently, his 10 bad innings of spring training were enough to demote him.
He was on the bubble in the spring despite the poor showing and I believe he was one of the last cuts if I recall correctly. His numbers on the farm have not been great. Lots of walks.
Good fit for the Bisons.
The man throws one of the best sliders in baseball
The Mariners would like to thank the Blue Jays for jettisoning Tayler Saucedo who has turned into a key lefty high leverage reliever for them & Trent Thornton who seems to have some upside to exploit as well. I know the Jays have a plethora of good relievers and can’t keep them all.
I don’t know why the Jays didn’t give Saucedo more of a shot. It’s frustrating seeing him do well elsewhere even though I’m happy for him. Payamps is another guy like that.
Payamps did not deserve the demotion over others at the time. Same with Thornton a month ago.
Sauce was pretty decent, they let him go too soon. Trent has unlimited chances.
Trent doesn’t seem too terrible yet. I’ve seen worse waiver claims.
Trent seemed like a tweener. Didn’t throw hard enough to be look at as a steady pen arm because teams just want high velo and k’s. Teams really carry a long guy anymore unless they use an opener but those guys are basically starters who don’t start 1st inning.
Trent to me could be an effective multiple inning type guy that goes through the order once twice a week. Perhaps could be paired with a young starter who you’re trying to limit innings.
With that said if you use him like that it’s difficult to manage a pitching staff with him not having any options left.