The Toronto Blue Jays have been one of the biggest disappointments in Major League Baseball this season. After two straight seasons in the postseason, Toronto has collapsed to the bottom of the American League East.
The best they can do at 66-71 on the season is play the role of spoiler against contending teams. But that doesn't mean they're fading into obscurity.
The team could go big in free agency, and Kerry Miller of Bleacher Report recently linked them to New York Yankees ace Gerrit Cole, who is now expected to opt out of his contract and hit the open market.
"Toronto might want to sign Gerrit Cole just so it doesn't have to deal with facing him anymore," Miller wrote. "In 17 starts against the Blue Jays over the past six years, Cole has a 2.54 ERA and a 0.865 WHIP."
It's no secret that Cole has been tough on the Blue Jays since joining the Yankees back in 2019. But if the Blue Jays want to contend in 2025, they could start out by putting a dagger in the hearts of their AL East rivals.
The team has had a tough 2024 season, and as of now, it looks as though they plan on contending next year. He would join a strong rotation that already features Kevin Gausman, Jose Berrios, and Chris Bassitt.
If Cole joins that rotation, the Blue Jays could very well become a force in the American League. It will be interesting to see how his market develops and if the Blue Jays are ultimately in on the veteran right-hander.
Cole, the reigning AL Cy Young Award winner, is 5-3 in 12 starts with a 3.86 ERA in 2024.
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