Strengthen the Bullpen
Sep 28, 2014; Toronto, Ontario, CAN; Toronto Blue Jays relief pitcher Casey Janssen (44) throws a pitch during the ninth inning in a game against the Baltimore Orioles at Rogers Centre. The Baltimore Orioles won 1-0. Mandatory Credit: Nick Turchiaro-USA TODAY Sports
This is by far the least flashy option but according to Ben Cherington is the most likely. While it may concern many fans to go with what we have assembled currently, the best way to bolster our current rotation is by building a strong bullpen and fielding a great defense (which we should). Casey Janssen would provide high leverage support at the back of the bullpen, but it also would definitely help to bring back a reliable name like Burke Badenhop.
What the team really probably could have benefitted from was a reunion with Andrew Miller, but the deal the Yankees gave him seems exorbitant. It is risky to give relievers four years in general, but they also could have turned to a name like Zach Duke who only signed to a three year deal. There are few lefty relief options remaining at this point, but it is also possible they could turn to their younger pitchers.
A trade is another possibility, and if the team does intend to take this rotation into 2015 then a trade for a good left hander would be a great way to cap an exciting offseason. And this option doesn’t preclude them from adding a name like Hamels, Zimmermann or Johnny Cueto at the trade deadline.