Oakland A’s: Toronto showing interest in Mike Fiers
Oakland A’s starter Mike Fiers may soon have a new home, as the Toronto Blue Jays are reportedly interested in his services.
Chances are, the Oakland A’s were not going to bring Mike Fiers back in 2021. The veteran innings eater had struggled at times during the 2020 campaign, and at 35 years old, did not necessarily fit in with the A’s plans for the future. The A’s also have several intriguing prospects that could fill his spot in the rotation, making him an unnecessary expense.
It is now becoming more likely that Fiers will be departing. According to reports, the Blue Jays are interested in the former A’s starter.
Source: #BlueJays among teams with interest in free agent RHP Mike Fiers, who had a 4.58 ERA in 11 starts this year. @MLBNetwork @Sportsnet
— Jon Morosi (@jonmorosi) December 7, 2020
Fiers did not exactly have a stellar 2020 campaign. While he did lead the A’s with six wins, he also posted a 4.58 ERA and a 1.373 WHiP, both of which were his second worst marks since an 11 game stint in 2013. He struck out just 37 batters with 16 walks in his 59 innings.
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Even with those relatively disappointing numbers, Fiers would have value on a team such as Toronto. Their rotation is still unsettled after staff ace Hyun-Jin Ryu, with a plethora of young arms on the horizon and several veterans with upside, but major question marks. Fiers may have struggled last year, but he is a proven innings eater that can fill out the back of a rotation.
That is essentially what he was expected to be for the A’s. Oakland was in a similar situation, with intriguing young arms, but in need of that dependable veteran arm to fill out the rotation. Fiers did exactly that for most of his tenure with the franchise.
Just as the A’s did back when Fiers first came on board, the Blue Jays need more players with postseason experience. They are still a young team in many aspects, with those two games in the Wild Card Round not exactly enough to learn how to win in the playoffs. Fiers can help the Blue Jays take that next step.
Next. Semien drawing interest at other positions. dark
The Mike Fiers rumor mill had been quiet, but that is starting to change. His next home may be north of the border.