The Toronto Blue Jays have exceeded expectations early on this season, and it’s put them in a very competitive spot ahead of the trade deadline.
With that in mind, it’s crucial for the Blue Jays to make the right moves ahead of the trade deadline if they want to contend.
FanSided’s Vanessa Serrao recently suggested the Blue Jays should cut ties with pitcher Bowden Francis this season, urging the team to demote him to Triple-A.
“His late stretch of dominant success in 2024 in the rotation has not been present. He is a starter who would benefit from being sent down to the minors. His recent struggles in the Blue Jays’ rotation have made him the weaker link of the rotation,” Serrao wrote. “All in all, the team needs to consider alternatives.
“With the return of Max Scherzer from injury and the potential for other pitchers like Adam Macko to be ready, Francis’s spot in the rotation is in jeopardy. Francis has struggled recently, particularly giving up runs and walks, leading to short outings. He has one minor league option remaining, making him a viable candidate for a demotion to AAA.”
Francis ended last season on an incredible run. He was dominant down the stretch, and it raised the expectations for the 29-year-old coming into this year.
But the righty has regressed to the pitcher that many thought he was. He’s a borderline roster player at this point.
The Blue Jays and Francis would both benefit from sending the right-hander down to Triple-A right now. The only issue is that the Blue Jays don’t have many options to replace him. Pitching depth has been notably shallow for Toronto.
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