Blue Jays trying to sign Chris Tillman

[North_of_Border]

The Toronto Blue Jays appear to have now completed their off-season heavy lifting on the position-player front and are expected to zero in on pitching. A top-tier starter, like Yu Darvish or Jake Arrieta, is probably unlikely, however there are plenty of depth options available on the free agent market.

One such player the club is being linked to is right-hander Chris Tillman. Jon Morosi of MLB Network reported Wednesday morning during a guest appearance on Sportsnet 590 The FAN that there has been some conversation between the Blue Jays and the 29-year-old pitcher.

Toronto’s 2018 rotation features two large question marks — Aaron Sanchez (finger issues) and Joe Biagini (inconsistency as a starter) — highlighting the need to add depth and Tillman could be an intriguing option.

He encountered shoulder issues and struggled mightily last season, posting a career-worst 7.84 ERA and 1.892 WHIP in 93 innings. Yet he was one of Baltimore’s best starters just one year prior and from 2013 to 2016, Tillman averaged 32 starts and 190 innings per season, along with a 3.91 ERA and 4.27 FIP. If he bounces back to provide similar production, the nine-year veteran could be a bargain, especially since he’s likely to fetch just a one-year deal. Back in November, MLB Trade Rumors forecasted that Tillman would net a one-year, $10-million deal.


During his appearance on Sportsnet’s Starting Lineup, Morosi also noted veterans Jaime Garcia and Jason Vargas could be options for the Blue Jays in their search for starting pitching.

[Lateral Quicks]

Tillman's peripherals have always been suspect, but they took a turn for the downright nightmarish last year. They'd have to be sure the shoulder issues are behind him, because $10M is a very, very expensive lottery ticket. He could quite possibly be a well below replacement level player in 2018.

Really I'd sooner take a few guys like Brett Anderson - maybe including the genuine Brett Anderson himself - than spend big on an extremely risky sign like Tillman.

[rarefind]

Chris Tillman is not the guy you give a big money major league contract when you have a small remaining budget that you need to get some value from. You can wait on back of the rotation options as we approach and work our way into ST.

If you want to spend a of money but want a more sure bet target an Andrew Cashner type, heck even go get R.A. Dickey to eat innings cheaply.

[chargerxthirty]

please no. that guy probably has nightmares about the Skydome