As the second half of the baseball season progresses, the Aaron Sanchez innings dilemma will undoubtedly gain steam.
This issue has been a hot topic among reporters and fans in recent days and now Toronto Blue Jays right-hander Marco Estrada has offered his two cents, emphatically stating he doesn’t want to see his young teammate moved to the bullpen.
“I’d like to see him stay in the rotation with us. We need him,” Estrada told ESPN’s Jerry Crasnick. “He’s one of the best pitchers out there. I know he has that whole limit on his innings. But we’re trying to get to the playoffs and win a World Series, and we’re going to need him to start. I know it’s not up to him, and it’s not up to me. It’s up to the front-office guys, so it’s kind of out of his hands.”
After spending the later months of 2015 in the bullpen, Sanchez, who just turned 24 and earned his first all-star appearance, began this season in the rotation and has since become one of the American League’s best starters. His 14 quality starts lead the league, while his 2.97 ERA ranks fourth, just behind the third-place Estrada (2.93).
The impasse lies in Sanchez’s innings total this season – he’s currently logged 118.1 frames, which is quickly approaching his career high of 133.1 set in 2014. The Blue Jays front office has not publically outlined their plans for him, but it’s believed that at some point in the near future, he’ll transition into a bullpen role. Manager John Gibbons has reiterated that this season.
Led by all-star years from Estrada and Sanchez, a Blue Jays rotation that before the season was considered a question mark has now turned into a definite strength. Its 3.64 ERA is No. 1 in the AL, a few ticks better than the vaunted Cleveland Indians rotation, which sports a 3.70 ERA.
Should Sanchez head to the bullpen, right-hander Drew Hutchison figures to replace his starting spot. Sanchez has said on multiple occasions that he’s willing to do what the team asks of him.
“Yeah, he’s open to being a reliever if he has to. But I know in his mind he’s always wanted to be a starter,” Estrada said. “To finally get the opportunity, he’s showing what he can do. He’s an all-star, and I don’t think he’s making it back to that bullpen. I hope he doesn’t.”
