*Photo from Sportsnet*
The biggest problem of the Toronto Blue Jays in recent years has been lack of quality pitching. Rest assured, they found at least one arm. The Blue Jays and RHP Yimi Garcia have agreed to a two year, $11 million deal, according to Shi Davidi of Sportsnet. The Blue Jays have confirmed the deal.
The contract also includes a team option for a 3rd season. After the Blue Jays bullpen finished 16th in the majors in ERA and 20th in FIP, the addition of quality relief pitching became necessary. The signing of Garcia is a step in the right direction for the Blue Jays, who were hampered last season by streaky pitching.
Spending the 2021 season with the Miami Marlins and Houston Astros, Garcia ended the season with a 4-9 record with a 4.21 ERA and a 1.16 WHIP, striking out 60 hitters while tossing 57 2/3 innings, picking up 15 saves in 62 relief appearances in 2021. In the playoffs, Garcia finished with a 1-1 record in 10 relief appearances.
In 7 seasons in the major leagues, spent with 3 different teams, Garcia has a 12-20 record with a 3.60 ERA and a 1.02 WHIP, throwing 232 1/3 innings with 17 career saves in 240 relief appearances and one start. In 15 career playoff games, he has a 1-1 record with a 6.75 ERA, throwing 13 1/3 innings, split between 3 different seasons.
Garcia's signing seems to fit the mold of what Toronto has done in the relief pitching market in recent seasons. They've often found the best value in smaller term deals, and a multi year deal like they've given Garcia has been somewhat of a rarity for the Blue Jays, both in recent years and the team's history. But he fills a need in Toronto.
The change in philosophy was expected by the Blue Jays, as their 91-71 finish was mostly due to a bad bullpen, ultimately missing the playoffs on the final day of the regular season. They have plenty of money to work with this offseason and plenty of reasons to spend it, so the Garcia signing was an important one.
With the signing of Garcia, the Blue Jays bullpen currently consists of closer Jordan Romano and setup men Adam Cimber and Tim Mayza, with Trevor Richards and Julian Merryweather also back in the fold, with Merryweather returning after a season ending injury early last season.
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