Former Toronto Blue Jays pitcher drawing interest from MLB teams
Photo credit: https://www.sportsnet.ca/mlb/article/phillies-claim-blue-jays-reliever-andrew-vasquez-off-waivers/
Former Toronto Blue Jays left-hander Andrew Vasquez is currently pitching for Tecolotes de los Dos Laredos of the Mexican League but Ari Alexander of KPRC 2 reports that multiple MLB clubs are interested in him. His deal has a $0 buyout for MLB affiliates.
The Jays signed Vasquez back in along with Yimi Garcia and Kevin Gausman to bolster their pitching roster back in 2022.
After a rough start (8.10 ERA with six strikeouts in 6.2 innings) and an ankle injury the Blue Jays designated him for assignment and he was claimed by the Phillies,
Vasquez, now 31, is out to a great start in Mexico. He has tossed 7 2/3 innings over seven appearances without allowing an earned run. He has only struck out six of the 32 batters he's faced, an 18.8% pace, but has surrendered just one walk.
He has done that while serving as the club's closer, with three saves already. The Mexican League is generally very hitter-friendly. The league-wide earned run average is 5.73 this year while batters have a combined line of .292/.371/.458.
Of course, that's a tiny sample size, but Vasquez also has some decent numbers in affiliated ball. He has 63 2/3 major league innings on his track record with a 4.24 ERA.
His 21.5% strikeout rate and 10.6% walk rate are a bit worse than average but not by much, while his 48.1% ground ball rate is strong.
He had a rough season in 2024, being stuck in Triple-A with the Tigers and posting a 5.11 ERA for the Toledo Mud Hens, but he has previously had good minor league numbers.
From 2021 to 2023, he logged 87 1/3 Triple-A innings with a 2.89 ERA, 36.4% strikeout rate and 9.1% walk rate.
Several teams are dealing with injuries to left-handed relievers, with the Mets one prominent example.
They recently lost both A.J. Minter and Danny Young to the injured list. Young will undergo Tommy John surgery and Minter might require season-ending lat surgery.
The club signed Brooks Raley but he's recovering from his own Tommy John procedure and has already been placed on the 60-day IL.
A.J. Puk of the Diamondbacks and anither former Blue Jay Tim Mayza of the Pirates are also on the 60-day IL for their respective clubs.
Taking it all into consideration, it's understandable that clubs are sniffing around. Vasquez has a competent résumé and his Mexican career has started well. With the rate of pitching injuries, it seems he may get a chance somewhere.
| POLL | ||
MAI 6 | 39 ANSWERS Former Toronto Blue Jays pitcher drawing interest from MLB teams Will former Blue Jays reliever Andrew Vasquez make it back to MLB? | ||
| Yes | 6 | 15.4 % |
| No | 17 | 43.6 % |
| Too early to tell | 16 | 41 % |
| List of polls | ||
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