3 Blue Jays players who won’t be back next season if they miss the playoffs

The Blue Jays added to their starting rotation this past winter by negotiating a deal with the New York Mets for pitcher Steven Matz. That was a given, since the team needed to add some quality depth behind Hyun Jin Ryu and Robbie Ray.

Matz has endured an up-and-down season thus far. Through 21 starts this season, Matz recorded a 4.08 ERA, a 1.39 WHIP, 108 strikeouts and 32 walks over 106.0 innings of work.

The thing is, Matz has fallen down the depth chart due to the emergence of prospect pitcher Alek Manoah and the Blue Jays’ huge trade deadline acquisition of Berrios. Matz is scheduled to hit free agency, as is Ray, who has been solid on the mound this season (2.88 ERA, 167 strikeouts over 137.1 innings). Given Ray’s statistics, Matz may be the odd man out this offseason.

Regardless of whether Toronto makes the postseason or not, it may be extremely difficult for the team to bring back second baseman Marcus Semien. After spending the previous six seasons with the Oakland Athletics, Semien agreed to a one-year deal with the Blue Jays worth $18 million.

In what was essentially a prove-it deal, Semein sure did prove it thus far in his lone season with Toronto. Prior to the All-Star break, Semien slashed .277/.345/.528 while recording 22 home runs, 56 RBI, 67 runs scored and 98 hits. As a result of his strong first half to the season, Semien was named to his first All-Star Game as the AL team’s starting second baseman.

Through 119 games, Semien recorded a .270 batting average, a .867 OPS, 29 home runs and 72 RBI.

Given the massive success he’s had in Toronto, Semien is no doubt going to get a ton of contract offers this upcoming winter. If there is a team that wants him enough, it may be hard for the Blue Jays to match.