The Toronto Blue Jays are one of many teams currently witnessing a battle for the final spot in their starting rotation. The Jays have many options, but the competition has seemingly dwindled down to youngster Aaron Sanchez and veteran Gavin Floyd.
Sanchez made 11 starts for Toronto in 2015, but spent most of the year in the bullpen. He finished 7-6 with a 3.22 ERA, 1.28 WHIP and 61 strikeouts in 41 games (92-1/3 innings), with his best work coming in relief (2.39 ERA in 30 games).
On the other hand, Floyd was a member of the Cleveland Indians for a short time in 2015 (he played in nine games), and the club's former executives, who are now with the Blue Jays, opted to sign him this offseason. The decision has paid off as the right-hander is 3-0 with a 2.19 ERA, 0.97 WHIP and 11 strikeouts in four games (two starts), totaling 12-1/3 innings this spring.
However, Sanchez has been even more impressive. The 23-year-old believes he's done "everything" possible to earn a spot in the team's rotation thanks to a 2-0 record with a 1.35 ERA, 0.90 WHIP and 19 strikeouts in five games (three starts), totaling 20 innings this spring. He tossed 6-1/3 shutout frames against the New York Mets on Wednesday.
Here's the latest regarding the race for the No. 5 starter:
Aaron sanchez has support for rotation spot from many w/jays after big spring, but decision-makers may still go w/floyd
— Jon Heyman (@JonHeyman) March 24, 2016
Heyman also noted yesterday that it's likely Jesse Chavez will end up in the bullpen. He was also competing for the job.
The Blue Jays could very well put Sanchez in the bullpen to further fortify that unit, especially since he has much more experience than Floyd in that role, but here's something to consider:
"Sanchez has struck out a quarter of all the batters he's faced this spring," writes August Fagerstrom of FanGraphs. "He's walked just three of 78. Not only does Sanchez have the second-largest sample of any pitcher this spring, he's got some of the most extreme numbers, and that 3.8% walk rate feels even more significant, given what we know about Sanchez ... Beyond all the spring stuff is the more important consideration, and that's future role."
Sanchez indeeds projects to be a future starter for Toronto, whereas Floyd is 33 and under a one-year deal. Both want to start, and Sanchez has expressed a willingness to undertake whatever role he's assigned, but it'll come down to how the team feels each player can be utilized in terms of maximizing their potential for the 2016 season.
