Anthony

Bass

This will surely have teams lining up to sign him. Bass wanted to file a grievance after being released by the Blue Jays in June, even though the fact that he was on a guaranteed contract meant the release didn’t cost him any money. Bass was cut by Toronto not long after social media comments that called for boycotts of companies that supported LGBTQ pride.

Bass, who was embroiled in a recent off-field controversy after sharing an anti-LGBTQ+ video on social media, went unclaimed on waivers after being designated for assignment last week and the Blue Jays have opted to cut ties altogether. The 35-year-old reliever struggled to an underwhelming 4.95 ERA, 1.40 WHIP and 19/2 K/BB ratio across 20 innings (22 appearances) this season.

Bass has been at the epicenter of a highly-publicized off-field controversy this month after sharing an anti-LGBTQ+ video on social media, and now the Blue Jays have apparently decided to move on from him altogether in advance of their scheduled Pride Weekend in Toronto. The 35-year-old righty has struggled this season to a lackluster 4.95 ERA, 1.40 WHIP and 19/2 K/BB ratio across 20 innings (22 appearances).

The Jays would surely like to stay away from using him if they can, but he’s an option should a need arise. The club has no shortage of alternatives for a save chance, headlined by Erik Swanson, Anthony Bass, Adam Cimber, and Yimi García.

That certainly had been expected all along. The 35-year-old hurler was outstanding during the 2022 campaign, registering a 1.54 ERA, 1.01 WHIP and 73/20 K/BB ratio over 70 1/3 innings between the Marlins and Blue Jays. He’ll once again slot into a setup role in front of closer Jordan Romano.

Bass has made 332 relief appearances in the majors dating back to 2011 and will augment the Blue Jays’ middle relief depth. The 34-year-old veteran righty has posted a strong 1.41 ERA, 0.94 WHIP and 45/10 K/BB ratio across 44 2/3 innings (45 appearances) this season.

Davidi adds that the Marlins will be receiving infield prospect Jordan Groshans, who was selected 12th overall in the 2018 MLB Draft, along with additional players. Pop has compiled a strong 3.60 ERA, 1.25 WHIP and 14/2 K/BB ratio across 20 innings (18 appearances) this season for Miami.

With Tanner Scott and Dylan Floro both unavailable, the Marlins finally gave Bass a chance to close today, essentially his first since he lost the job during the first week of 2021. And, with a lot of help from a Jesus Aguilar error, he managed to blow it, even though he did strike out three in the inning. Two singles and an error led to him being scored on for the first time in 18 appearances since June 13, though he did wind up with the win after the Marlins scored twice in the 10th. Obviously, this won’t help his case for more save chances, but with the Marlins possibly trading a reliever or two before the deadline, it’s hard to say how things will shake out.

The Marlins will certainly get a lot of hits on their relievers in trade talks over the next couple of weeks, and Bass will likely draw as many inquiries as anyone. He has a 1.36 ERA in 39 2/3 innings.

Bass has been the Marlins’ best reliever this year, but he couldn’t preserve the tie in the bottom of the ninth tonight and took his third loss. He still has a 2.25 ERA in 24 innings for the season. He’s yet to earn his first save, but he should be a candidate for those going forward.