What is so special about Aaron Sanchez’ arm? Conversely, what is wrong with it that we’re not being told? I’m not at all troubled by Blue Jays’ management showing concern for the well-being of a young pitcher, even if they’re solely motivated by the need to protect their investment. But when that concern becomes almost a contradiction in terms, it raises questions.
I’m puzzled, and don’t think I’m alone in this, as to why the Jays’ management is so concerned over the workload of Aaron Sanchez, and yet have said nothing about the workload of Marcus Stroman. It’s been repeatedly repeated (yes, I did mean to write this phrase) that Sanchez’ highest inning total in the minors was 133 innings, and since he’s now already past that, it’s getting to be time to slow him down. But how does that compare to Stroman, who threw 130 innings for the Jays in 2014, but whose highest inning total in the minors, in 2013, the only year that he threw more than 19 innings, in Double A with the New Hampshire Fisher-Cats, was 111 innings in 20 starts. What am I missing here? Is it because he has better mechanics? Is it because his body is more mature? It is because of his longer college pitching resume? Or does he just have a less aggressive agent, as in last year’s Matt Harvey melodrama with the Mets?
When you have a front office saying that a pitcher who’s having a Cy Young year has to go to the bullpen because of his innings total, and an apparently comparable arm carrying on in the rotation, I think that somebody in charge has to get up front with us and tell us what they know that we don’t. With yesterday afternoon’s news flash of the trade of Drew Hutchison (I was surprised!) for Francisco Liriano, the piece is now in place that allows Sanchez to go to the pen. But if Liriano doesn’t work out, and we no longer have five effective starters, Mr. Shapiro and Mr. Atkins are going to have a lot of ‘splainin’ to do, because so far they’ve done exactly none.
This discussion may be reaching the point that it affects the whole team. Before tonight’s game, Russell Martin, who didn’t have to put his game face on because R.A. Dickey was getting the start and he wouldn’t be in the lineup, gave a very frank and expansive interview to the Sportsnet people. During the interview, he made it clear that the clubhouse is pretty well unanimously opposed to moving Sanchez to the bullpen. (Although he has been very careful when asked to comment on the situation, it’s well known that Sanchez himself wants to remain a starter.) Having caught every one of Sanchez’ starts, Martin is in a pretty strong position to be able to talk about whether or not there are any signs of fatigue coming from Sanchez. He says no, and he is incredulous that the front office is insisting on going through with the move.
When you add Marcus Stroman to the discussion, you gotta wonder, don’t you?
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