As I wrote yesterday, the Toronto Blue Jays bullpen hasn’t been up to par as of late, especially in our last series against the Major League worst Washington Nationals (the bullpen cost us two of three games).

Toronto manager Cito Gaston stated before the start of the season that he would keep in tact the exact bullpen the Jays had last year, as we were the number one bullpen in the American League.

Our bullpen has gone through some changes this year compared to last, mainly due to injury.

Our bullpen in 2008 consisted of:

Brian Tallet
Brandon League
Jesse Carlson
Shawn Camp
Jason Frasor
Scott Downs
BJ Ryan (Closer)

Brian Wolfe made some spot appearances here and there but was not a regular.

Our current bullpen is:

Brandon League
Jesse Carlson
Shawn Camp
Jason Frasor (Closer)
BJ Ryan
Dirk Hayhurst
Scott Richmond – Is going back and forth between the bullpen and rotation as our number five starter, when needed.

The following changes occurred this season.

Brian Tallet is currently in our starting rotation, rather than his normal role, as long man out of the bullpen.

BJ Ryan lost his closer’s position to Scott Downs.

Scott Downs is currently on the disabled list with an injured toe, therefore Jason Frasor took over this role.

Dirk Hayhurst is filling in for Scott Downs while he is injured.

The bullpen has also seen Brian Wolfe, Bill Murphy, Bryan Bullington, and Jeremy Accardo appear in games.

The Toronto bullpen has been a whirlwind of inconsistency.

Not only are the pitchers frequently changing, but so are the statistics of our regular bullpen pitchers.

Let’s take a look at some of our bullpen regulars, and their numbers from 2008 and 2009, so it is apparent to readers of exactly what I am writing about.

Keep in mind that the 2009 season is just about half way complete.

Jesse Carlson

2008 – 7-2, 2.25ERA, 69G, 2 SV in 2 SVO, 60IP, 41H, 16R, 15ER, 6HR, 3HBP, 21BB, 55K

2009 – 1-3, 5.18ERA, 34G, 0SV in 2 SVO, 33IP, 36H, 21R, 19ER, 2HR, 3HBP, 11BB, 23K

Brandon League

2008 – 1-2, 2.18ERA, 31G, 1SV in 1 SVO, 33IP, 28H, 9R, 8ER, 2HR, 3HBP, 15BB, 23K

2009 – 1-3, 5.74ERA, 28G, 0SV in 3SVO, 31.1IP, 31H, 20R, 20ER, 4HR, 2HBP, 9BB, 29K

Shawn Camp

2008 – 3-1, 4.12ERA, 40G, 39.1IP, 40H, 18R, 18ER, 2HR, 2HBP, 11BB, 31K

2009 – 0-2, 3.41ERA, 23G, 29IP, 28H, 12R, 11ER, 2HR, 0HBP, 12BB, 22K

Jason Frasor

2008 – 1-2, 4.18ERA, 49G, 0SV in 1 SVO, 47.1IP, 36H, 23R, 22ER, 4HR, 1HBP, 32BB, 42K

2009 – 5-1, 2.19ERA, 28G, 1SV in 3 SVO, 24.2 IP, 18H, 6R, 6ER, 1HR, 1HBP, 5BB, 19K

BJ Ryan

2008 – 2-4, 2.95ERA, 60 G, 32SV in 36SVO, 58IP, 46H, 21R, 19ER, 4HR, 4HBP, 28BB, 58K

2009 – 1-0, 5.50ERA, 22G, 2SV in 4SVO, 18IP, 19H, 11R, 11ER, 3HR, 1HBP, 14BB, 13K

Scott Downs

2008 – 0-3, 1.78ERA, 66G, 5SV in 9SVO, 70.2IP, 54H, 15R, 14ER, 3HR, 4HBP, 27BB, 57K

2009 – 1-0, 1.98ERA, 26G, 8SV in 9SVO, 27.1IP, 20H, 7R, 6ER, 1HR, 1HBP, 4BB, 28K

Aside from Scott Downs (who is injured) and Jason Frasor (who opposing hitters are starting to figure out), only Shawn Camp’s numbers have improved, and I wouldn’t say that the improvement in Camp’s numbers are anything drastic enough to give applause to.

Brandon League needs to find his control and help out the Blue Jays bullpen.

Our once reliable closer in BJ Ryan can’t get anyone out, even in his current mop up role.

Jesse Carlson, who was so reliable last season, is getting hit hard.

Toronto fans never know what we are getting with Brandon League, who is dominant on some days, and has inconsistent control problems on other days.

I understand that Scott Downs will be back from his toe injury very soon, possibly as early as July 3rd 2009, but the Jays bullpen needs improving.

The Jays can’t dwell into the minor league system for help.

Jays fans saw how terrible Brian Wolfe and Bryan Bullington were when they were called up from Triple A Las Vegas in the past.

Bill Murphy pitched well for the Jays, but the Jays need more than him as their final answer.

Rookie Dirk Hayhurst is not the answer, as he has not proved himself at the Major League level.

Jeremy Accardo is also available, and on the Jays current active Major League roster, but has been injury prone the last two seasons.

So where does that leave the Jays?

The Major League baseball trade deadline is slowly approaching July 31st 2009, and there are players available around the Major Leagues who I personally think could help our struggling bullpen.

Here is a list of possibilities. Keep in mind that these players are veterans, playing on a losing team, and in my opinion will be available come the July 31st trade deadline.

Closers Available:

Baltimore – George Sherill – LHP – 2009 – 0-1, 2.20ERA, 15S, 25K, 28.2IP, 29G, All Star selection in 2008 – 2009 Salary 2.75 million

San Diego – Heath Bell – RHP – 2009 – 3-1, 1.19ERA, 19 S, 34 K IN 30.1IP, 29APP, 2009 Salary 1.25 million

Arizona – Chad Qualls – RHP – 2009 – 1-0, 4.39ERA, 13 S, 26K IN 26.2 IP, 26APP, 2009 Salary 2.54 million

Could the Jays acquire Heath Bell from the Padres to help our struggling bullpen?

The reason I mention the closers position is because it is the best option available ( in my opinion of course). If the Jays could grab themselves the likes of one of these players as closer, we could return Scott Downs to his more natural fit as our 8th inning set up man.

Other relievers, that in my opinion could help the Jays, who I think will be available July 31st are:

Baltimore – Danys Baez – RHP – 2009 – 4-1, 3.22ERA, 23K in 36.1IP, 26APP, 2009 Salary 7.1 million

Washington – Joe Beimel – LHP – 2009 – 0-3, 3.54ERA, 1s, 14K IN 28IP, 30APP, 2009 Salary 2 million

Kansas City – Ron Mahay – LHP – 2009 – 1-0, 4.56ERA, 22K IN 23.2IP, 24 APP, 2009 Salary – 4 million

Cleveland – Matt Herges – RHP – 2009 – 2-0, 2.42ERA, 16K IN 22.1IP, 17 APP, 2009 salary not available, signed to a minor league contract

Oakland –Russ Springer – RHP – 2009 – 0-1, 5.84ERA, 30K IN 24.2IP, 30APP, 2009 Salary 3.3 million

Is Matt Herges the answer to the Jays bullpen woes?

The Jays showed the entire baseball world how cash strapped our team was before the season even started.

The Jays were the only team in the Major Leagues not to acquire a free agent with our pocket book. The Jays did acquire veteran Kevin Millar, but that was via a minor league deal.

Due to our economic woes I do not think Toronto Blue Jays General Manager J.P Ricciardi will spend on veteran relievers such as Danys Baez, Chad Qualls, Ron Mahay, George Sherill or Russ Springer, but they should certainly be available, and would all fit in well with our bullpen.

Matt Herges might fit in with the Jays as well.

Herges is a 39 year old veteran, who is known to most in the baseball world as a “Journeyman Reliever”.

Herges has spent time with the Los Angeles Dodgers, Montreal Expos, San Diego Padres, San Francisco Giants, Arizona Diamondbacks, Florida Marlins, Colorado Rockies and now the Cleveland Indians in a career that has spanned a decade.

Herges has a very respectable earned run average of 2.42 for Cleveland this season, and has plenty of post season experience.

Herges was a vital part of the Colorado Rockies bullpen in 2007 during their miracle playoff run, and he comes very cheap, only signed to a minor league deal.

I’m sure J.P Ricciardi could part with a very low level prospect, a player to be named later, or a minimal cash swap deal to acquire the veteran Herges.

The most interesting option for the Jays could be that of Heath Bell. Bell has been a huge surprise as closer in San Diego, since taking the reigns from future Hall of Fame closer Trevor Hoffman.

Bell comes cheap with a 1.25 million salary, and the Padres have been dumping salary all season.

Acquiring Bell could push Scott Downs back into his set up role, and could fortify our struggling bullpen.

No matter what the Jays decide, the bullpen will have to be as good as it was for us last season, if we want to stay in the running for a playoff bid in 2009.