Who do you think is the highest-leverage lefty reliever we've got at the moment? And is that based off last season, or has Spring Training changed your thoughts at all? -- @jakemmfc
Brendon Little had a couple of tough moments in the postseason, but that’s over. There was a lot to like about his regular season and he’s looked excellent in camp, touching 98 mph with a new four-seamer. If he’s in the zone, he can dominate, and he’ll get every opportunity to do so.
Mason Fluharty will make 70-plus appearances if his performance allows, too. However much you think the Blue Jays like Fluharty? Double it. He’s bulked up a bit over the offseason, too, and we could see his stuff tick up a bit.
Is there a market for [José] Berríos if the Jays look to move him? -- @C_Rutsey
There’s been zero indication that the Blue Jays have discussed this with anyone recently, but Berríos, like Lauer, is a good example of how this can change over a spring. A month ago when camp opened, there were questions about Berríos’ ability to bounce back. Since then, Berríos has proved that his velocity is where it needs to be.
Spring Training is home to bad news, too. As other teams lose pitchers to injuries or disappointing springs, they’ll all be looking at the Blue Jays. Toronto would need to get back a high-end reliever or a position player who could legitimately raise the team’s ceiling, though, for this to make any sense.
What are the chances that [Spencer] Miles, [Angel] Bastardo or both make the Opening Day roster? -- @Karen_Soutar1
Right now? Low.
The Blue Jays’ rotation is already expected to spill over into the bullpen. Lauer likely begins the season there, and whether the Blue Jays open with a six-man rotation or kick one more starter to the ‘pen, that’s one less spot for traditional relievers.
If there are six spots remaining for those “traditional” relievers, let’s consider Jeff Hoffman, Tyler Rogers, Little and Louis Varland to be 100% locks. Braydon Fisher and Fluharty belong, too. The Blue Jays like Bastardo, but enough to option Fisher or Fluharty? There’s also Tommy Nance, who is out of options.
In a perfect world, the Blue Jays could trade for Bastardo (which would make him a permanent member of the organization, no Rule 5 strings attached), but the Red Sox would surely be thrilled at this point to get him back.
