The Toronto Blue Jays' bullpen had the 25th ranked ERA in the league and their closer, Casey Janssen, is now a free agent. They need to make improvements in this area of their roster and that could be their next line of order.
Being that Toronto has built their team to contend in 2015, they're going to need a closer to finish off games for them. Two options include Jonathan Papelbon and Francisco Rodriguez. According to Jon Heyman of CBS Sports, the Blue Jays will explore a trade for a closer before signing a free agent such as Rodriguez, although they're interested in him. Papelbon could be that trade target.
The veteran is entering the final year of his contract and the Phillies are looking to get rid of his salary as they work to rebuild their roster. Heyman noted earlier in the offseason that the right-hander had little trade value even though the Blue Jays and Astros were in need of a closer. However, now that the offseason is beginning to wind down and fewer options remain, Papelbon and his $13 million salary for 2015 could be a desirable option. He also has a $13 million vesting option for 2016 that kicks in if he finishes 55 games in 2015 or 100 games combined in 2014 and 2015.
The 34-year-old appeared in 66 games last season and finished 52 of them while maintaining a 2.04 ERA and 0.91 WHIP with 39 saves. He owns a career record of 35-29 with a 2.37 ERA and 1.02 WHIP with 325 saves in 593 games.
As for Rodriguez, the word on him has been relatively quiet after a good year with the Milwaukee Brewers. The 32-year-old pitched in 69 games and ended the year with a 3.04 ERA, 0.99 WHIP and 44 saves. It was his best season since his All-Star campaign in 2008 with the Los Angeles Angels. According to Heyman and Kyle Franzoni of FanSided, the right-hander could be an option for Toronto.
Rodriguez noted earlier in the offseason that he wanted to re-sign with the Brewers, but it appears the Blue Jays are giving them some competition now. He played last season under a one-year, $3.25 million contract so he's likely looking for a multi-year deal that will pay him a solid annual salary. The upside to acquiring Rodriguez is that the Blue Jays won't have to give anything up to get him, but they also might not know what they'll get out of him. He hadn't been a full-time closer in three seasons before his success in 2014.
On the other hand, although Papelbon comes at a high price and will require a trade to be obtained, his consistency has been largely unrivaled over the years and he would provide an immediate solution for the back end of Toronto's bullpen.
It's up to general manager Alex Anthopoulos to make a decision.
