The Toronto Blue Jays and free-agent relief pitcher Chad Green have agreed to a two-year deal. The contract between the two sides is worth $8,500,000 over two seasons, with options for the 2025 and the 2026 seasons. Last season Chad Green underwent Tommy John surgery in June; the right-hander was a key part of the New York Yankees bullpen before the injury. Green likely won’t be ready till at least mid-season, but this addition could be significant for the Blue Jays bullpen when Green returns.
The 31-year-old relief pitcher brings tons of experience to the Blue Jays bullpen. After pitching in high-leverage situations for the New York Yankees, Green brings a much-needed skill set this team lacked. Over the course of his career, Green has recorded four-hundred and ninety-four strikeouts in three-hundred and eighty-three career innings. Green has also recorded eleven saves through his time in the Majors, giving the Blue Jays more options to close out games. Strengthening the back end of the bullpen is important, especially for teams focused on contending.
An exciting aspect of Chad Green’s play is how dominant his four-seam fastball can be when he’s on. Ranking in the eighty-eighth percentile in fastball spin according to Baseballsavant.mlb.com, Green brings a much needed swing and miss aspect that this Blue Jays bullpen has been missing. Green has had strong strikeout percentage numbers over his career. In 2021, Chad had a 31.4% strikeout percentage over eighty-three innings. Green relies heavily on his four-seamer, throwing it 63.1% of the time. Chad technically has a four-pitch arsenal but really only relies on his four-seamer and his curveball. Green has a sinker and a changeup pitch, but they are both rarely used.
It’s unclear when exactly Chad Green will be back; however, this addition not only improves the Blue Jays bullpen this season but for 2024 as well. Having the options for 2025 and 2026 is also interesting. It’s exciting that the Toronto Blue Jays have one of the best free-agent relievers left, locked up for more than just this year. Likely returning post-All-Star break, the Blue Jays will have a nice addition for the second half and for 2024 as well.
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