The Blue Jays have already added one starting pitcher this offseason in ex-Brewer Chase Anderson, but he probably won’t be the last new member of their rotation in 2020. They’ve since been connected to a variety of free-agent starters, and you can add right-hander Josh Lindblom to the group. Lindblom’s on Toronto’s radar, Ben Nicholson-Smith of Sportsnet reports.
Lindblom isn’t anywhere close to the top of the starter market – MLBTR projects him to earn $8MM over two years on his next contract – but the 32-year-old does look like an intriguing choice after thriving in Korea from 2017-19. MLBTR’s Steve Adams recently highlighted the excellence Lindblom displayed overseas after bouncing around among several destinations, including the Dodgers, Phillies, Rangers, Athletics and Pirates, from 2011-17.
Now, odds are that Lindblom will return to the majors this offseason, and the team that signs him will surely hope he can come close to enjoying the type of success the Cardinals’ Miles Mikolas has since he left Japan to join the Cardinals in December 2017. Mikolas hadn’t shown he was capable of sticking in the bigs before he went to Asia in 2015, but he has been a high-quality starter since returning.
Even after picking up Anderson, Toronto’s rotation still looks extremely thin, as Matt Shoemaker (off yet another injury-shortened season) and the relatively unproven trio of Ryan Borucki, Jacob Waguespack and Trent Thornton make up its staff on paper. Signing Lindblom, given what he has done in the majors to this point, wouldn’t necessarily inspire much more confidence. Nevertheless, whether he chooses the Blue Jays or someone else, Lindblom plans to pick his next team by the end of the Winter Meetings on Dec. 12, Ken Rosenthal of The Athletic reports (subscription required).
bleacherbum
Good fit
jdgoat
Really hope they can find a way to work this out. He certainly seems like one of the highest value possibilities for what you would have to pay.
jorge78
And what helped him over there he couldn’t find here? Buyer beware!
Baseball 1600
Just stop commenting. Nothing you comment ever makes any sense.
PapiElf
How dare you disrespect the Wizard himself, jorge78!
Vandals Took The Handles
From all the articles, it appears the Blue Jays are making a run in 2020!
jimmertee
Huh? with the bargain basement, dumpster diving decisions? I don’t think so.
Dodger Dog
Pretty much every team suiikd be
HalosHeavenJJ
Some guys figure it out later. Some guys need a certain coach to unlock something.
A couple under the radar guys pay off every year. If you can hit on one, it’s big.
Jeff Zanghi
I think this would be a good fit for the player and team — and I think Lindblom has a chance to really be productive when he returns stateside. He’s obviously figured some things out abroad and did have some productive seasons here in the Majors so it’s not like he doesn’t have the experience to rely on. Definitely a good move if he can be had for the projected 2/$8M or even 2/$10 or so
jimmertee
More dumpster diving. Why bother.
PapiElf
I was assuming that he would be used out of the bullpen. I guess I was wrong…
jorge78
Too much money for Lindblom…..
coldbeer
Maybe 2 years + a club option for $10mil guaranteed and they’ll give him every chance to start if that’s what he wants. And if he needs to end up in the bullpen well at that price point it’s really not a drain on the alleged limited budget space available.
its_happening
Take a pass. Would rather watch Waguespack or Kay take a whacking at a nice 6-figure salary than overpay for a soon to be 33-year old for millions. Someone else can take that risk.
Wilford Brimley
Does anybody speak or understand Korean? Let’s find out what sabermetrics they use when they initially sign a player like Lindblom and then translate them into American sabermetrics and come up with some cool, new formulas and stats.
Eatdust666
Sure, Lindblom was very good in the hitter friendly Korean Baseball Organization League, but the question is, can he continue his success as a starting pitcher as he returns to Major League Baseball?
jdgoat
Only one way to find that out