Blue Jays trying to sign Chris Tillman
Posted: Thu Jan 25, 2018 1:39 am
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.
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.