The Toronto Blue Jays’ decision to retain Eric Lauer next season is being viewed as a wise move – not just because of his current value, but because of his long-term potential.
Lauer, despite being forced into a “swing man” role between starter and reliever at times, has proven to be extremely valuable. This season, he has a low ERA (2.76) in many appearances, and has contributed significantly when the lineup needs to be rotated.
Blue Jays manager John Schneider’s temporary move to the bullpen for the weekend series is not a sign of “permanent removal,” but rather a sign of great flexibility.
It’s a rotation strategy that takes advantage of the depth of the pitching team with many quality options.
A key reason for keeping Lauer: the risk of injury is always present for pitchers. When a starter is injured, Lauer can effectively fill in — he’s a starter, and has experience starting out of the long-pitch role.
Plus, keeping Lauer makes strategic personnel sense for the Blue Jays: if they want to save on young pitchers like Trey Yesavage, Lauer is an ideal choice to provide depth while still maintaining a high level of performance.
Finally, Lauer’s role can continue to evolve: depending on the roster situation, he can return to the starter role or continue to provide support from the bullpen. This gives the Blue Jays more flexibility in rotation and preparation for the long-term — like the playoffs or tight games.
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