Blue Jays, Position by Position: The starting pitching conundrum and how the Jays may have to fill two spots

As we learned this season, pitching is crucial

I don’t think it’s unfair to say that the Jays had a solid pitching core in 2022, both with starters and the bullpen. However, that doesn’t mean that there aren’t concerns heading into the 2023 season, especially with a few spots in the rotation.
Let’s look at who’s penciled in, which pitchers are depth pieces, and which prospects could impact the Jays in the 2023 season.
Side note: I’m not including Hyun-Jin Ryu in this article. There’s an outside chance he’ll be able to pitch in the back end of the season, but I find it super unlikely. Would be nice to get the 2020 form of Ryu though.
Penciled in starters for the 2023 season:
There are three starters that are already penciled into the rotation. I think it’s likely another one will come via trade, while they’ll sign a fifth starter. Here’s the rotation as it stands:
Starter 1: Alek Manoah
Starter 2: Kevin Gausman
Starter 3: N/A
Starter 4: Jose Berrios
Starter 5: N/A
Swingman/Longman: Yusei Kikuchi/Mitch White/Casey Lawerence
So as you can see, the #3 spot in the rotation will have to be filled (likely via trade), while the #5 spot could be filled via signing, or by way of Yusei Kikuchi or Mitch White.
2022 starters, a flashback:
Thankfully enough, starting pitching wasn’t really a problem for the 2022 Blue Jays. They had two aces, a pitcher who pitched well two-thirds of the time, and a hero that stepped up when the team needed him most. Granted, they also lost a lot of games because of a lack of a fifth starter, but it wouldn’t have changed muc …

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Author: Brennan Delaney / Blue Jays Nation

Blue Jays claim Matt Peacock off waivers from Royals

Some pitching reinforcements are on the way for the Toronto Blue Jays. But don’t get too excited just yet.
On Wednesday, the team claimed right-hander Matt Peacock off waivers from the Kansas City Royals. The 28-year-old was designated for assignment by the Royals earlier this week. To make room for Peacock on the 40-man roster, Shaun Anderson has been DFA’d.

ROSTER MOVE:
We’ve claimed RHP Matt Peacock off waivers from the Royals
RHP Shaun Anderson has been designated for assignment pic.twitter.com/pDvgYHJMS7
— Toronto Blue Jays (@BlueJays) July 6, 2022

Peacock becomes the latest pitcher to be added to Toronto’s roster in recent days, as the club acquired Anthony Banda from the Pittsburgh Pirates on July 2 and signed Sergio Romo in free agency last month.
Though, the 6’1″ hurler didn’t fare overly well during his brief time with the Royals earlier this season, posting a 5.40 ERA across 10.0 innings in nine appearances. Opposing batters were hitting .286 against him before he was DFA’d.
There could be some untapped potential with Peacock, however, as he registered a 3.74 ERA and was unlucky at times via his .314 OPP BABIP. Considering he induces plenty of ground balls, resulting in a 60.0 per cent clip, and his hard-hit rate against sits at 36.1 per cent, his overall results could improve with better fielding behind him.
Or at least, that’s what the Blue Jays’ coaches are hoping for.
In total, Peacock’s arsenal includes a low-90s sinker, which he’s throwing 58.4 per cent of the time this season. He also features a high-80s slider and a high-80s changeup.
With two minor-league options remaining, Peacock can be optioned to the minors this season and in 2023.
On another roster-related note, the Blue Jays recalled pi …

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Author: Thomas Hall / Blue Jays Nation

Report: Blue Jays claim Matt Peacock off waivers from Royals

Some pitching reinforcements are on the way for the Toronto Blue Jays. But don’t get too excited just yet.
On Wednesday, the team claimed right-hander Matt Peacock off waivers from the Kansas City Royals, according to Bob Nightengale of USA Today. The 28-year-old was designated for assignment by the Royals earlier this week.

The Toronto #Bluejays claim pitcher Matt Peacock.
— Bob Nightengale (@BNightengale) July 6, 2022

Peacock becomes the latest pitcher to be added to Toronto’s roster in recent days, as the club acquired Anthony Banda from the Pittsburgh Pirates on July 2 and signed Sergio Romo in free agency last month.
Though, the 6’1″ hurler didn’t fare overly well during his brief time with the Royals earlier this season, posting a 5.40 ERA across 10.0 innings in nine appearances. Opposing batters were hitting .286 against him before he was DFA’d.
There could be some untapped potential with Peacock, however, as he registered a 3.74 ERA and was unlucky at times via his .314 OPP BABIP. Considering he induces plenty of ground balls, resulting in a 60.0 per cent clip, and his hard-hit rate against sits at 36.1 per cent, his overall results could improve with better fielding behind him.
Or at least, that’s what the Blue Jays’ coaches are hoping for.
In total, Peacock’s arsenal includes a low-90s sinker, which he’s throwing 58.4 per cent of the time this season. He also features a high-80s slider and a high-80s changeup.
On another roster-related note, the Blue Jays recalled pitcher Casey Lawrence, who’s expected to start Thursday for the injured Kevin Gausman, from triple-A Buffalo and have sent Trent Thornton …

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Author: Thomas Hall / Blue Jays Nation