Try to find a reason that validates Ricky Romero starting next season in the Jays starting rotation, besides his performance prior to last year. Can’t do it? Didn’t think so. Did he start to improve as the season closed down, to show some sense of encouragement? No, in each of his last 10 starts of the year he finished the game with an ERA over 5.38. No sense of encouragement there. I really do wish that we could all just say he had an off season. But we can’t, as of now. A season with a WHIP of 1.67, and an ERA close to 6 is not just an “off season.” And if he was any other pitcher on this Toronto Bluejays team, he would’ve been in the minors without hesitation.
Whenever the conversation of “swapping struggling pitchers” comes up, people initially think of Jon Lester. This would be an outstanding idea, if he wasn’t in the same division. I mean, I love the idea—along with many others—but General Managers generally tend to shy away from trades within the division. Also, I’m not sure if Boston would entertain the idea of a straight up trade. I think they see Lester having higher value, therefore I think it would take more than just Ricky, maybe even as much as adding an arm like Matt Smoral. Tim Lincecum’s name also arises during this conversation. But, to get a deal with Timmy involved would be more like a hybrid of the possible trade opportunities, because it would take a lot more than just Ricky to land Timmy. This idea just doesn’t seem logical because I, along with others, don’t think Timmy will ever be the same, because of his work load. He could possibly even end up as a closer.
If any teams are interested in entertaining the idea of taking Ricky along with others in exchange for a premium outfielder, they’d be Arizona and Colorado. Both have enough quality outfielders to spare one. Both have needs that Toronto could fill. Arizona could put Justin Upton (maybe along with Corbin) on the table, if Romero, Adeiny Hechavarria/ Yunel Escobar, Noah Syndergaard, Moises Sierra, and Santiago Nessy are offered in return. My guess would be Colorado would love to work a deal with the Jays for the likes of Romero, Anthony Gose, and other young Blue Jays pitchers. Colorado would probably be interested in both a long term project like Daniel Norris, and someone with less ceiling and a sooner ETA like Sean Nolin. But those four players would probably cost the Rockies Carlos Gonzalez.
This last scenario seems quite simple… to me. By the time spring training comes around, if Ricky is still a part of the Toronto Blue Jays Organization (which I suspect he will be), and he has a well below average Spring Training,does he really deserve a spot in the starting rotation? It does depend on his attitude and the severity of his struggles, but if it seems like he’s just fighting everything, I say he should be sent down. There is no sense in keeping someone incapable of pitching to a league average standard in the MLB.
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