The Toronto Blue Jays are coming off a heartbreaking World Series loss to the Los Angeles Dodgers, but the team isn't going to sit still and be happy with a World Series appearance.
Multiple reports have indicated that the Blue Jays are expected to be among the most aggressive teams this offseason, with pursuits of top free agents likely for Toronto.
MLB insider Bob Nightengale of USA Today reports that one player who has the Blue Jays "salivating" is an All-Star starter who's coming off a 3.20 ERA season with a top NL contender, and who has been one of the best playoff performers in recent history.
Blue Jays 'salivating' at chance to sign Phillies free agent starting pitcher
"(Ranger) Suarez is expected to be one of the highest-paid starters on the open market," Nightengale writes, "with teams like the Toronto Blue Jays salivating for a chance to sign him.:
Ranger Suarez is coming off a strong year with the Philadelphia Phillies, where he put up a 3.20 ERA in 26 starts, and in the playoffs, had a 1.80 ERA in five innings pitched against the Dodgers in the NLDS.
Philadelphia isn't likely to retain Suarez, leaving his options wide open. Toronto, according to Nightengale, would love to sign the veteran starter to its rotation.
Suarez has a career 1.48 ERA in the playoffs across 11 games and eight starts in 42.2 innings pitched. Since becoming a starter in 2021, Suarez has been one of the better pitchers in baseball.
In the last five years, Suarez has had a 3.25 ERA, 17.7 bWAR, 651 strikeouts, and a 129 ERA+ across 694.1 innings pitched in 116 starts and 143 appearances.
While the Blue Jays are getting Shane Bieber back to go with Trey Yesavage and Kevin Gausman, atop the rotation, having Suarez would take a good Blue Jays rotation to being one of the best.
The left-hander has been a great starter for the Phillies since being converted from a reliever, but if needed, he can come out of the bullpen. He closed out the San Diego Padres in 2022 to clinch a World Series berth for the Phillies.
Suarez would be a great pickup for the Blue Jays, and Nightengale's report indicates the Blue Jays are "salivating" for a chance to sign the veteran lefty.
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