Who should be the Blue Jays choice to be there 5th starter

Joe Biagini won't be the 5th starter for much longer.

Jon Morosi of MLB Network reports that the Blue Jays have shown interest in free agent starter Chris Tillman.

Tillman is probably going to have to settle for a one-year contract -- maybe even a non-guaranteed minor league deal -- after struggling to a 7.84 ERA, 1.89 WHIP, and 63/51 K/BB ratio in 93 innings last season with the Orioles. The 29-year-old right-hander has also drawn mild interest from the Twins and Tigers this winter, and Orioles manager Buck Showalter suggested earlier this month that Baltimore could have some interest in bringing him back. Tillman held a 3.81 ERA in 844 2/3 innings with the O's between 2012-2016. 

 

 

 

According to Juan Manuel Moreno of La Prensa in Mexico, the Pirates are showing interest in free agent starter Jaime Garcia.

Garcia pitched for three different teams (Braves, Twins, Yankees) in 2017, posting a 4.41 ERA, 1.41 WHIP, and 129/64 K/BB ratio in 157 innings. The 31-year-old left-hander could be a nice buy-low option for the cost-conscious Pirates, though he also had underwhelming numbers with the Cardinals in 2016 and he carries an ugly history of elbow and shoulder problems. 

 

 

Ken Rosenthal of The Athletic reports that the Nationals have expressed interest in Lance Lynn.

Rosenthal notes that the Nats' pursuit of Lynn is complicated by the fact that they're already over the $197 million luxury-tax threshold. However, the club could use a fifth starter and Lynn would be reunited with former pitching coach Derek Lilliquist in Washington. The Rangers, Brewers, Twins and Orioles have also been connected to the 30-year-old right-hander. 

 

 

Yu Darvish has exemplified this reality. There's been plenty of reporting around the top free agent nationally, but ultimately little substance. Darvish has visited with multiple front offices, stoked his own rumor mill via twitter and has rec'd at least one 5year offer.

 

But with February rapidly approaching and spring camps less than a month away, Darvish remains unsigned. And, to an extent, it is fair to say he's holding up all of free agency.

Alas, the lead story in today's column is yet another hypothesis framed in speculation. But I feel fairly confident in saying this one has legs.