On Friday the Toronto Blue Jays traded outfielder Ben Revere to the Washington National in exchange for right-handed reliever Drew Storen. The moved helped strengthen the back end of Toronto's bullpen, but rumors suggest the team is still looking for relievers since some adjustments could be made to the pitching staff.
The Storen trade has fueled speculation that the Blue Jays will try to move Aaron Sanchez or Roberto Osuna into the starting rotation for the 2016 season. They've already lost relievers Mark Lowe to free agency, LaTroy Hawkins to retirement and Liam Hendriks in a trade with the Oakland Athletics.
Sanchez logged 11 starts at the MLB level in 2015 before undertaking a full-time role in the bullpen (he also made 80 starts out of his 98 career minor league games). Osuna also spent most of his time in the minors as a starter, but the 20-year-old's success in the closer role for Toronto in 2015 was tremendous, so the team may not be inclined to take him out of that spot.
Trade rumors have also surrounded R.A. Dickey, which might suggest at least one of these youngsters will see an expanded role as a starter.
Additionally, general manager Ross Atkins said the team is still exploring bullpen upgrades.
"We haven't stopped," Atkins told Shi Davidi of Sportsnet.ca. "We haven't let up for one second. For this one move [acquiring Storen] that we've made that's worthy of getting on a conference call today, there's been hundreds of discussions of potential other ones. And we still have ongoing discussions, obviously."
However, it appears as if Toronto will have some limitations.
"The Nationals agreed to pay the difference in Revere's and Storen's salaries -- Revere is projected to earn $6.7 million in arbitration by MLBTradeRumors.com, Storen $8.8 million," writes FOX Sports' Ken Rosenthal. "That element of the trade left the Jays with a small amount of financial flexibility, sources say. The team could use that money to make a lesser move, perhaps for a pitcher or outfielder."
There are still some solid arms available in free agency, such as Tyler Clippard, Antonio Bastardo, Fernandeo Rodney, Franklin Morales and others, but it's possible the Jays would rather explore trade scenarios to avoid adding more to their payroll.
Whatever the case, Toronto has a lot of flexibility. Their rotation currently consists of Dickey, Marcus Stroman, Marco Estrada, J.A. Happ, Jesse Chavez (has bullpen experience) and Drew Hutchison. However, if they feel Hutchison won't be able to remain in the rotation due to his struggles over the past two years and that Chavez might be a better option in relief, then they can make some changes.
Still, if Sanchez and/or Osuna are stretched out as starters, you can bet the Blue Jays will be adding to their bullpen to make up for the losses because they both possess back end-caliber stuff whereas Hutchison and Chavez profile more as middle relievers.
