The Toronto Blue Jays are reportedly discussing a multi-year deal with starting pitcher Marco Estrada, who they offered a qualifying offer.
The Toronto Blue Jays are looking to improve their rotation after their impressive 2015 season ended in the ALCS when they lost to the eventual World Series Champion Kansas City Royals. With David Price likely departing via free agency and Mark Buehrle likely retiring or signing elsewhere, the Blue Jays have offered free agent starting pitcher Marco Estrada a multi-year deal.
The Blue Jays are talking to right-hander Marco Estrada about a multi-year contract in advance of Friday’s... https://t.co/DRMCHxxrHs
— Ken Rosenthal (@Ken_Rosenthal) November 12, 2015
This gives Marco Estrada and the Blue Jays some options. Estrada was offered a qualifying offer from the Blue Jays. If he decides to accept that qualifying offer, he gets a one-year deal worth $15,800,000. He would also get the chance to gamble on himself in 2016 and potentially set himself up to get even more money after the 2016 season. Should the Jays bring back Estrada, they likely wouldn’t be forced to go with Drew Hutchinson and Aaron Sanchez in their rotation.
Bringing back Estrada would also allow closer Roberto Osuna to stay in the closer role and make their bullpen much stronger. The Blue Jays are going to have a young rotation. Estrada could be an important part of it should they fail to sign David Price. Even if they do sign a top of the rotation arm, Estrada could still be a fit with the Jays.
Estrada could go with the security of a multi-year deal. The deal would most likely be for two years, per Ken Rosenthal.
"Two comparable free agents a year ago, right-handers Edinson Volquez and Jason Hammel, each signed two-year, $20 million contracts. Neither received a qualifying offer, so their new teams did not lose draft picks for signing them."
MLB Trade Rumors notes that this is an interesting decision for Marco Estrada because he has only made roughly $10,000,000 during his career. Does he go with more money right now? Or does he go with the security of a multi-year deal but likely take less money per year? There’s a strong argument for both sides.
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