*Photo from CBS Sports*
Don't count out the Toronto Blue Jays from the starting pitching market just yet. A report has surfaced that the Blue Jays were interested in acquiring starting pitchers Luis Castillo, Sonny Gray, and Tyler Mahle of the Cincinnati Reds, according to Scott Mitchell of TSN.
The Blue Jays were said to have been very high on all 3 starting pitchers before the lockout, and had expressed interest in them with the Reds. Castillo would be the priciest of the 3, as he is projected to earn $7.5 million in arbitration this year, whenever that comes. 2022 is Castillo's second year of arbitration eligibility.
Castillo is projected to earn $7.5 million despite a down year in 2021. With an ERA over 7.00 in May, he managed to cut that down drastically as the season went on. Castillo finished 2021 with a 8-16 record, plus a 3.98 ERA and 1.36 WHIP, tossing 187 2/3 innings, striking out 192 hitters in 33 starts for the Reds.
Gray, who has had a career renaissance since landing in Cincinnati, has had experience in the AL East, pitching for the New York Yankees in 2017 and 2018. Gray finished last season with a record of 7-9, with a 4.19 ERA and 1.21 WHIP, finishing with 155 strikeouts and 50 walks in 135 1/3 innings, totaling 26 starts, dealing with groin and rib injuries.
Last season, Mahle was the one who arguably had the best season out of the 3 starters mentioned, despite being behind Castillo, Gray, and Wade Miley in the rotation. Mahle ended the 2021 season with a 13-6 record, 3.75 ERA, and 1.23 WHIP, registering the first 200+ strikeout season of his career, with 210, in 180 innings pitched and 33 starts.
The Blue Jays this season have assembled a rotation that looks bounds better than 2021. Despite losing Robbie Ray, they have Jose Berrios and Hyun-Jin Ryu returning, plus they agreed to a 5 year deal with Kevin Gausman just before the lockout.
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