Toronto Blue Jays manager John Gibbons understands the value of having an ace pitcher.
Gibbons’ team didn’t boast a top-flight starter as the team hung around the .500 mark prior to the non-waiver trade deadline, but the addition of all-star left-hander David Price have helped transform the Blue Jays from a mediocre club into a true playoff threat.
“He’s an ace. Very few teams have those guys,” Gibbons told co-hosts Jeff Blair and Kevin Barker Thursday on Sportsnet 590 The Fan. “I think the serious contenders that think they have a shot, you have to have one of those. Some of them have two guys like that. I think to be considered a legitimate contender, and he’s done that for us.”
Price has exceeded lofty expectations since the Blue Jays gave up three pitching prospects to acquire the Vanderbilt product from with the Detroit Tigers on July 30. Since the trade, Price has made nine starts for the Blue Jays, going 7-2 with a 2.17 ERA, 74 strikeouts, and just 16 walks in 62.1 innings pitched.
Price moved his ERA to an AL-best 2.42 after a strong outing Wednesday against the Atlanta Braves, which prompted discussions whether he should be a serious candidate for the AL Cy Young award.
“He had to be in it before the trade and he’s been just about perfect since we got him,” Gibbons said.
Another veteran whose performance has jumped out to the Blue Jays manager is catcher Russell Martin, who’s offensive output has spiked after a rough stretch to start the month of September. Martin is hitting .333/.400/.944 with two doubles, three home runs and 11 RBI over his last five games.
“He’s looking really good right now,” Gibbons said of Martin. “[He hit] a big double out of the gates. [The] Icing on the cake with his 20th home run. He was beat up.
“It was a matter of time. He’s too good a hitter. [It was] a double-edged sword. He got to rest his body, but you rest too much [and] you lose your timing and that affects the numbers. He’s back on track now.”