The Obligatory Craig Breslow Post
There isn't much going on in Blue Jays Land these days, so here I am writing about Craig Breslow. The Blue Jays signed Breslow to a minor league contract that includes an invite to spring training and an opt-out at the end of spring training.
This deal is pretty much a hail mary pass. I guess the idea behind it is that he's left-handed and since the team needs a reliable LOOGY they figure they might as well give Breslow a shot since he is a veteran who has had success in the past. It's certainly an understandable strategy and you can't fault the team for wanting to has as many options as possible.
Still, this signing doesn't look like one that is going to pay off in a big way for the major league club. Breslow has not been very good over the past 4 seasons with a 4.96 ERA over 168.2 innings. He has had a decent 3.24 ERA against left-handed batters during that span, but it came with a .348 wOBA. Aaron Loup has been criticized for not getting leftie hitters out, but he has a.299 wOBA against lefties over the same span.
What makes you pause and consider that maybe they can find some value in this deal is what he did against left handed batters last year. He held same-handed batters to a .214/.294/.286 slash line. Looking at that slash line would make you think he may have what it takes to be a dominant LOOGY. Under closer inspection that doesn't seem to be the case. Part of that success can be attributed to the .237 BABIP opposing hitters compiled. He is not known for running a low BABIP against lefties so I wouldn't bet on a repeat performance there. He managed to strike out just 7 of the 52 left handers he faced last year while walking 5. One a positive note, he allowed only 3 doubles and no home runs to lefties.
Breslow allowed an OPS above .800 against left handed batters in each season from 2014-2016. He doesn't have a big platoon split for his career. Perhaps last season was the start of a new trend for Breslow, but I wouldn't hold my breath. I figure he will get a look in spring training and may even break camp with the Jays due to his veteran presence and the number of relievers with options remaining. Even if he makes the team out of spring training I have a hard time seeing him sticking with the Jays all year.
