Blue Jays Predicted to Land $77 Million All-Star Pitcher ...

By Nelson Espinal

Contributing Sports Reporter

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The Toronto Blue Jays are losing multiple key starters from their rotation this winter to free agency, meaning the front office will need to get creative to replace them or potentially bring them back on noteworthy salaries.

Max Scherzer and Chris Bassitt are free agents, with Scherzer seemingly the more likely pitcher to return on a short-term deal.

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With a series of expensive arms hitting free agency, Toronto may be better served to explore the trade market, as several teams are listing quality starters.

One of those pitchers is Mitch Keller of the Pittsburgh Pirates, who is under contract for three more years and is only 29 years old.

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He is owed $16.9 million for this upcoming season, $18.4 million in 2027, and $20.4 million in 2028, all of which will be paid during his physical peak.

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According to Joel Reuter of Bleacher Report, Keller could fit in the middle of the rotation for the Jays, which will still have Kevin Gausman, Shane Bieber, and Trey Yesavage.

"Kevin Gausman, Shane Bieber and breakout rookie Trey Yesavage will fill three spots in the Blue Jays' rotation, but the other two are a question mark with Chris Bassitt and Max Scherzer departing and José Berríos frustrated with his late-season move to the bullpen," Reuter wrote in his story.

"Berríos is still owed another $67 million over the next three years, so moving him won't be easy. However, he is still a fine backend option if the relationship can be mended, and the Blue Jays and Pirates look like a good fit on a Mitch Keller trade to give the staff more of a No. 2/3 type to take some pressure off Bieber and Yesavage."

Keller pitched 176 innings last season, posting a solid 4.19 ERA that grades out to a 102 ERA+.

His stuff has not quite developed, but as a middle rotation arm, he would provide cover for the other three starters, and he could potentially adjust his mechanics to have more swing-and-miss stuff.

The Blue Jays' rotation does not need to be elite, since the offense, especially if Kyle Tucker enters the picture, is projected to remain one of the best in baseball.

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