The Michael Saunders-J.A. Happ trade means Aaron Sanchez faces the biggest opportunity of his career. Blue Jays manager John Gibbons said Thursday that there’s a 99 percent chance the 22-year-old right-hander will get every chance to make Toronto’s opening day rotation.
“We all want to see what his potential is there and what he could become,” Gibbons told Jeff Blair on Sportsnet 590 The FAN. “There’s differing opinions on what his best role for us would be. I think he needs to start. I think we at least need to give him an opportunity to see what we have.”
“He’s also got a chance to be a number one starter,” Gibbons continued. “His stuff is that good.”
LISTEN: John Gibbons on The Jeff Blair Show
If the Blue Jays acquire another starting pitcher or decide they’d prefer to rely on an experienced starter such as Marco Estrada, then Sanchez could open the season in the bullpen as a fallback plan. He excelled in relief as a rookie in 2014, posting a 1.09 ERA with 27 strikeouts and 9 walks in 33 innings. However, transitioning to the rotation would require him to rely on a wider array of pitches and face hitters multiple times per game.
While Sanchez doesn’t project as a member of the Blue Jays’ bullpen, relief help remains a priority for Toronto. Gibbons and GM Alex Anthopoulos have both said they’d like to add at least one reliever this off-season.
“That’s a couple of holes that we definitely need to do something with,” Gibbons said. “But there’s a couple guys that Alex is chasing right now.”
The Blue Jays have committed close to $119 million to their 2015 payroll, including commitments to arbitration-eligible players. Team president Paul Beeston has said payroll will increase from the $137 million spent in 2014, which gives Anthopoulos more than $18 million to address his remaining needs.
Adding Saunders sets the Blue Jays up with an everyday left fielder, and while the team won’t rule out further additions in the outfield or at second base, their cast of position players is rounding into form.
“It’s starting to shape up right now probably the way it’s going to look,” Gibbons said.
So far, the manager likes what he’s seeing from the “small makeover” taking shape in Toronto.
