Blue Jays rumors – Team ‘checked in’ on Michael Pineda

In an offseason that already saw the Toronto Blue Jays acquire one starting pitcher, the team is reportedly now looking at free-agent starter Michael Pineda as another upgrade to the rotation.

According to The Sports Network’s Scott Mitchell, Toronto checked in on the 6-foot-7 righty and could view him as an option in a market deep with starting pitchers.

While Pineda is coming off a 60-game PED suspension and recorded a 4.01 ERA, he also showed the upside of a front-line starter with the Minnesota Twins. Across his last 117 innings in Minnesota, he recorded a 9.08 K/9, 1.69 BB/9 and a 3.46 ERA.

Set to enter his age-31 season, Pineda comes with some concerns over durability and the suspension. However, his demonstrated upside and the chance for a short-term, incentive-based deal makes him an appealing option to clubs that don’t want to spend on the marquee pitchers available.

By Matt Johnson

Matt Johnson is Senior Editor of NFL and College Football for Sportsnaut. His work, including weekly NFL and college ... More about Matt Johnson