The Toronto Blue Jays have made a significant roster change by moving pitcher Nick Sandlin off their 40-man roster. This decision was noted on the MLB.com transaction tracker. With over three years of service time, Sandlin is expected to choose free agency soon.
By making this move, the Jays effectively released Sandlin ahead of the non-tender deadline. Baseball analyst Matt Swartz estimated that if Sandlin had remained, he would have earned around $2 million in arbitration. While this isn’t a huge salary by major league standards, the Jays were reluctant to commit to him in a relief role for next season.
This decision brings the team’s roster down from 38 to 37. Teams have until Tuesday to finalize which prospects they want to protect from the Rule 5 draft. By letting Sandlin go early, the Jays now have an additional roster spot.
Sandlin joined the Blue Jays last winter as part of the trade that sent Andrés Giménez to Cleveland. During his time with the Guardians, Sandlin had a respectable 3.27 earned run average over four seasons. Known for his slider and splitter, he showed promise, but control issues limited his effectiveness. The Jays believed he could step into a more important role, particularly in high-pressure situations.
Unfortunately, injuries plagued Sandlin’s season. He suffered a lat strain just weeks into the year and, after returning in June, went down again with elbow inflammation. Overall, he pitched just 16.1 innings, giving up seven runs (four earned) and posting 16 strikeouts against eight walks.
His performance decreased notably, with his average fastball velocity dropping to a career low of 91.4 mph, compared to his rookie season where he averaged between 94-95 mph. This drop in speed likely contributed to the decision not to keep him, as other teams also seemed hesitant to take on his projected salary.
Looking ahead, player injuries and fluctuations in performance trends are common in Major League Baseball. In recent years, the league has seen an uptick in teams avoiding commitments to players who may not meet their potential, reflected in user discussions across social media platforms like Twitter. Fans often weigh in on team strategies and player choices, sparking debates about the future of franchise rosters.
For a deeper look at player projections and salary trends, you might check out resources like the MLB Players Association or analysis on platforms like FanGraphs.
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