Let's Set Odds: Where Will Robbie Ray Play Next?

Left-handed pitcher Robbie Ray picked a perfect time to have a career year, leading the American League in ERA and leading the Major League in strikeouts right before he hit free agency.

Ray posted a 2.84 ERA this season, but still holds a career ERA of 4.00, so which Ray shows up in 2022 is anyone’s guess. But, if teams are looking for the 2021 Cy Young candidate to toe the rubber for their club, they are going to have to pay up.

There are several decent pitchers in the free agent market, headlined by Max Scherzer, Clayton Kershaw, and Justin Verlander. Any team that swings and misses on those aging superstars could take a swing at the intriguing Robbie Ray.

WynnBET Sportsbook doesn’t have odds set for Ray’s future employer, so let’s set odds for Ray’s next destination.

Toronto Blue Jays (+100)

If the Toronto Blue Jays look to remain competitive in the AL East, they will need to have a strong rotation. With Robbie Ray slotted back in for 2022, the Blue Jays may have the best rotation in the division; with Ray, Jose Berrios, Alek Manoah, and Nate Pearson. 

Ray and Berrios would be a deadly combination in the postseason, if Toronto is fortunate enough to get there. 

The Blue Jays have plenty of bats in their lineup; Vladimir Guerrero Jr., Bo Bichette, George Springer, Teoscar Hernandez, etc.

With many of the young bats on Toronto’s squad still too young to demand big money, the Blue Jays should use some of their open payroll to shore up their pitching staff by bringing back the familiar strikeout machine of Robbie Ray.

Los Angeles Angels (+250)

If the Angels are ever going to get Mike Trout into the playoffs, they are going to need to put together a competent pitching staff. Adding a durable lefty like Ray is just what they need. 

Shohei Ohtani is the best pitcher on the team, producing a 3.18 ERA in 130.1 innings pitched, but he’s also the best hitter, belting 46 home runs and 100 RBI. If Ohtani were to be injured, the Angels would lose too much.

It’s too much for Los Angeles to expect Griffin Canning or Patrick Sandoval to hold the rotation together. The Angels need to limit runs against, and it starts with their rotation. A poor rotation can lead to a domino effect of taxing a bullpen too heavily, and Los Angeles could use some bullpen help as well.

Mike Trout and Anthony Rendon played in a combined 94 games last season, it may not be the best idea for the Angels to rely too heavily on their offense anymore.

New York Yankees (+350)

Robbie Ray will demand a contract over $125 Million over five or so years, and he has earned it. One team that could give it to him is the New York Yankees.

The Yankees needed rotation depth last year after Luis Severino was expected to miss the entire season, and they brought in Jameson Taillon through trade with the Pittsburgh Pirates and signed Corey Kluber to a one year, $11 Million contract. 

I have a feeling the Yankees will be throwing more money around for 2022.

The Yankees lineup as it currently stands is already competitive, they could use another arm in their rotation though. Gerrit Cole is an ace, Severino is a great No. 2, and Taillon is a solid, yet inconsistent, No. 3, but New York will need more if they intend to win their first World Series since 2009. 

Adding Ray to the rotation would give the Yankees one of the strongest rotations in the American League.

New York Mets (+500)

The Mets looked solid last year, then Jacob deGrom got hurt. Losing deGrom crushed New York, and now Marcus Stroman and Noah Syndergaard are free agents. The Mets are going to need some pitching.

A top of the rotation combo of righty deGrom and lefty Ray would be frustrating for opposing lineups, as both are strikeout artists. 

A lot of money is leaving the payroll book for the Mets, so there will be plenty of money to spend this offseason, and Ray should be a target for New York.

Chicago White Sox (+750)

White Sox left-handed pitcher Carlos Rodon had a breakout season. He did miss a little time with injury, but recorded a 2.37 ERA in 132.2 innings pitched and struck out 185 batters. Much like Ray, Rodon is walking into free agency.

The White Sox can fill the Rodon-sized hole in their rotation with the similar Ray.

Chicago is playing in one of the Major Leagues’ weaker divisions in the AL Central, but if they want to keep the Detroit Tigers, Kansas City Royals, Minnesota Twins and Cleveland Guardians at bay, they can separate themselves with a big addition in their pitching staff.