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MLB Rumors: Toronto Blue Jays have interest in Yovani Gallardo

By Darrell Samuels

Mar 22, 2015; Peoria, AZ, USA; Texas Rangers starting pitcher Yovani Gallardo (49) throws during the third inning against the Seattle Mariners at Peoria Sports Complex. Mandatory Credit: Matt Kartozian-USA TODAY Sports
Mar 22, 2015; Peoria, AZ, USA; Texas Rangers starting pitcher Yovani Gallardo (49) throws during the third inning against the Seattle Mariners at Peoria Sports Complex. Mandatory Credit: Matt Kartozian-USA TODAY Sports /
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There are no negatives in a possible Yovani Gallardo signing with the Toronto Blue Jays.

The Toronto Blue Jays will be entering the 2016 season in a few months after a successful campaign a year ago. The team won 93 games, won the American League East title by six games and made the playoffs for the first time in 22 years before bowing out to the eventual World Series winning Kansas City Royals in the American League Championship Series.

According to Ben Nicholson-Smith, of Sportsnet, the Blue Jays have interest in pitcher Yovani Gallardo.

The offseason has been relatively quiet in Toronto. They did hire Ross Atkins to be the franchise’s new General Manager after former head guy Alex Anthopoulos bolted and recently joined the Los Angeles Dodgers. The major acquisition they made this winter was the trade sending outfielder Ben Revere to the Washington Nationals for reliever Drew Storen.  Adding Storen to the bullpen with Roberto Osuna, Brett Cecil and Aaron Sanchez makes the bullpen fairly potent.

The starting rotation consists of R.A. Dickey, Marcus Stroman, Drew Hutchison as well as newly acquired Jesse Chavez, from the Oakland Athletics and J.A. Happ from the Pittsburgh Pirates.

Yovani Gallardo is a nine year veteran. He spent eight of those years spent with the Milwaukee Brewers in the National League and last year with the Texas Rangers in the American League. The right hander is a career 102 game winner in 1473.2 innings of work. A year ago his record was 13-11, 3.42 ERA in 33 starts on the mound.

There have been rumors that with Storen being added to the bullpen, Sanchez might be moved back into the starting rotation. However, if Toronto can come to an agreement and sign Gallardo, they can keep Sanchez in the bullpen.

This winter the New York Yankees traded for former Cincinnati Reds closer Aroldis Chapman just before Christmas. The Boston Red Sox added Craig Kimbrel in a trade with the San Diego Padres earlier this winter. In early December, they were also able to sign David Price, to a 7 year $217 million deal, as a free agent. The Red Sox, Yankees and Blue Jays will be extremely competitive for the upcoming six month grind.

There are no areas for Toronto’s concern in a possible Gallardo signing.

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