How does Robbie Ray’s AL Cy Young increase his asking price?

Toronto Blue Jays ace Robbie Ray just won the AL Cy Young. Could he be headed elsewhere this offseason as a result?

Ray getting the award he rightfully deserves means, at the very least, he’ll get the contract he deserves as well. The Blue Jays just inked Jose Berrios to a long-term extension. It’s unknown if they’ll be able to pay up for Ray as well, but losing a pitcher of that caliber will not be easy to recover from.

Ray received 29 of 30 first-place votes, and despite the Blue Jays not making the playoffs, they now feature the Cy Young winner and a top-2 MVP vote-getter, assuming Vlad Jr. reaches that milestone.

AL Cy Young award: Full results

Gerrit Cole received 29 of 30 second-place votes, marking yet another close, but no cigar finish for the Yankees ace. Lance Lynn finished third, with Nathan Eovaldi fourth and another free agent in Carlos Rodon in the fifth-place spot.

https://twitter.com/MLB/status/1461112365945085959

Ray led the American League in most statistical pitching categories, making him the easy choice. It remains a question, however, if the Blue Jays will pay him like an AL Cy Young winner.

Robbie Ray contract: What will it look like?

Ray’s market value is listed just a shade over $17 million per Spotrac. Considering he just signed and pitched through a short-term deal, he’ll likely want something in the four-to-five year range, which is only fair given his production.

An accolade to add to his trophy case could give Ray more negotiating power with the Blue Jays and other teams in free agency, if his agent plays their cards right.