After re-signing Marco Estrada and adding J.A. Happ and Jesse Chavez, the Blue Jays were expected to be done working on their rotation for the 2016 season. That’s apparently not the case.
According to Ben Nicholson-Smith of Sportsnet.ca, the Blue Jays have shown interest in free agent right-hander Yovani Gallardo all winter and the two sides have been in touch as recently as this week.
Arguably the top starting pitcher remaining on the free agent market, Gallardo posted a career-low 3.42 over 34 starts last season with the Rangers. There were some warning signs attached, as he averaged 3.3 BB/9 while posting a career-low 5.9 K/9.
Teams like the Royals, Orioles, and Astros have been mentioned as possible landing spots for Gallardo in recent weeks, but being attached to draft pick compensation surely hasn’t help his market. With that in mind, Nicholson-Smith notes that the cost and the draft pick are two possible hurdles for the Blue Jays.