Blue Jays have good reason for sending Cy Young candidate to minors
The Toronto Blue Jays turned a few heads Sunday morning when they elected to option Aaron Sanchez to the minor leagues. The 24-year-old right-hander has pitched like the team’s ace all season, posting a 12-2 mark with a 2.99 ERA and 132 strikeouts in 156 1/3 innings. He even earned an All-Star nod and is in the thick of a wide open Cy Young debate in the American League.
So what gives?
Two simple words: Workload and logistics.
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The Blue Jays have been hinting all season at limiting Sanchez’s workload to keep from wearing him down this season and beyond. It’s a long-term thought process not unlike what the Washington Nationals did with Stephen Strasburg in 2012 despite being World Series contenders. Strasburg, of course, was coming off Tommy John surgery, but even then many questioned the decision.
Many were ready to question Toronto too had they shut down Sanchez completely. That is not the case yet, though it’s still possible. For now, they’re trying to be creative by buying him at least 10 days rest in the minors at an opportune time in the schedule.
Toronto was already planning to skip Sanchez’s next scheduled start, even before he allowed five runs in four innings in Saturday’s 6-5 win against Cleveland. This decision allows them to be flexible with his roster spot rather than playing a man down during that time. It’s logical baseball thinking, even if you’re not sold on the idea that Sanchez needs a breather.
Sanchez is not scheduled to pitch in a game during his time away from the Blue Jays. We’re not even sure he’ll officially report to Dunedin, Fla., home of Toronto’s High-A minor league team. If he does, it’ll be to throw a couple stress free side sessions.
We wouldn’t exactly call it a vacation. But in no way is it a demotion.
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Mark Townsend is a writer for Big League Stew on Yahoo Sports. Have a tip? Email him at bigleaguestew@yahoo.com or follow him on Twitter!
