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.

#BlueJays have checked in on big 6-foot-7 right-hander Michael Pineda, per sources.
In his age-30 season, Pineda posted a 4.01 ERA across 26 starts with Twins before a PED suspension ended his season.
There’s risk, but some very intriguing upside, too.
— Scott Mitchell (@ScottyMitchTSN) December 4, 2019

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.