Should Blue Jays Release Janssen?
Casey Janssen may have been one of the more effective closing pitchers in baseball since 2012, but according to Sports Net it appears his time for the Toronto Blue Jays may be winding down. Although this would leave the Jays with a notable hole in the bullpen, you have to feel this decision has been coming.
Making his debut in 2006, Janssen currently holds a win/loss record of 29-34 with an ERA of 3.54 and has recorded 89 saves. But this season the man has looked a shadow of his former self and because of this loss of form, he has started to make fans nervous! On August 8 he notably gave up back to back home runs in the 9th inning a 5-4 loss to Detroit (to which I had the misfortune to witness), there has also been other poor recent performances in our recent series loss to the New York Yankees and the Baltimore Orioles.
Although he is not entirely responsible for the Blues fall from first place in the AL East Division, his errors made have certainly made this ride less comfortable. Since the All Star break, Janssen has allowed 13 runs in 18 appearances. But then again, the Blues Jays lack of depth has shown considerably of late and injures to key players like Melky Cabrera haven't helped the cause. It does also beg the question of who exactly would fill the role of closer should Janssen be released? Dustin McGowan is a seasoned pro at the Blue Jays but is more suited to being a middle reliever and Brett Cecil may pitch well against lefties, but his lack of qualities against right hitters has shown and saw him demoted from a starting role previously.
Rookie pitcher Aaron Sanchez appears to be the man being groomed as heir apparent to the closing role, as it was revealed that he will be getting most of the starting chances in September. Janssen with free agency pending has been forced to grin and bare this fact. But so far this month, both have recorded a loss, but Casey has contributed 4 saves (bringing his total season number to 24) to Sanchez's one.
In conclusion, although it would be sad to see Janssen leave after 8 years with the organization, I feel that he would be better served by moving on. Don't get me wrong, he has done one hell of a job for us over the years but right now his effect is slowly dying out and the fans are beginning to become restless at the amount of runs allowed. All the best Casey, no matter where you end up pitching.
Making his debut in 2006, Janssen currently holds a win/loss record of 29-34 with an ERA of 3.54 and has recorded 89 saves. But this season the man has looked a shadow of his former self and because of this loss of form, he has started to make fans nervous! On August 8 he notably gave up back to back home runs in the 9th inning a 5-4 loss to Detroit (to which I had the misfortune to witness), there has also been other poor recent performances in our recent series loss to the New York Yankees and the Baltimore Orioles.
Although he is not entirely responsible for the Blues fall from first place in the AL East Division, his errors made have certainly made this ride less comfortable. Since the All Star break, Janssen has allowed 13 runs in 18 appearances. But then again, the Blues Jays lack of depth has shown considerably of late and injures to key players like Melky Cabrera haven't helped the cause. It does also beg the question of who exactly would fill the role of closer should Janssen be released? Dustin McGowan is a seasoned pro at the Blue Jays but is more suited to being a middle reliever and Brett Cecil may pitch well against lefties, but his lack of qualities against right hitters has shown and saw him demoted from a starting role previously.
Rookie pitcher Aaron Sanchez appears to be the man being groomed as heir apparent to the closing role, as it was revealed that he will be getting most of the starting chances in September. Janssen with free agency pending has been forced to grin and bare this fact. But so far this month, both have recorded a loss, but Casey has contributed 4 saves (bringing his total season number to 24) to Sanchez's one.
In conclusion, although it would be sad to see Janssen leave after 8 years with the organization, I feel that he would be better served by moving on. Don't get me wrong, he has done one hell of a job for us over the years but right now his effect is slowly dying out and the fans are beginning to become restless at the amount of runs allowed. All the best Casey, no matter where you end up pitching.
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