Does Baltimore Orioles Bullpen Still Reigns Supreme in AL East?
By Nate Wardle
4. Toronto Blue Jays
Relief pitchers: Roberto Osuna (CL), John Axford (SU), Seung Hwan Oh (SU), Aaron Loup, Ryan Tepera, Danny Barnes, Tyler Clippard, Tim Mayza
Osuna dealt with some anxiety issues during part of last year, which were difficult for the Jays’ closer and caused him to miss some time. However, overall he was still a good pitcher for Toronto, and he is still young as well. In fact, he was good enough to make the All-Star game, and that isn’t easy when you are vying for a spot as a closer in the American League.
Oh came over from St. Louis, and will be the setup man for the Blue Jays, along with Axford. Two guys who have closing experience in the NL Central, but also weren’t exactly wanted this off-season.
Speaking of guys not specifically wanted, Tyler Clippard was a late add to the Blue Jays roster in spring training but was able to make the team.
Loup, Tepera and Barnes were each in the Jays’ bullpen for much of last year, and Loup is one of the longest-tenured pitchers the Blue Jays have.
Now, they aren’t exactly bad pitchers for the Blue Jays. In fact, over the last few years, each of them has been pretty good at times.
The problem is, what if Oh and Axford are not very good in the AL East, which is quite possible. Will any of these guys be able to step in and handle the job?
Mayza, a graduate of Millersville University (go Marauders!) is a left-hander who can come in and get out left-handers, as he showed during his call-up to end the 2017 season.
How well the new acquisitions perform will go a long way to determine if this bullpen can move up at all in the rankings.