Former All-Star, ERA champ Aaron Sanchez released from minor-league deal by Blue Jays

Aaron Sanchez, a 32-year-old right-handed pitcher who has served multiple stints in the Blue Jays’ organization, was released by the Buffalo Bisons on Tuesday. Sanchez made 14 starts for the Bisons this season, going 3-6 with a 7.92 ERA, a 1.68 WHIP, 6.0 K/0, and 5.7 BB/9.

Sanchez was signed to a minor league contract on May 6th of this season and would make his first start with the Bisons just four days later. He got off to a rough start this season, allowing five or more earned runs in six outings and allowing three or more walks in eight outings. Oddly enough, he made a start on July 28th in which he didn’t surrender a run and only gave up one hit through five innings, but he also walked seven hitters. Despite his woes, he did pitch to a 2.70 ERA throughout his final five starts.

Sanchez being signed was certainly an interesting move by the Blue Jays, but, assuming he continued finding some rhythm with the Bisons, there was a world where he could’ve been back in the major leagues. Yusei Kikuchi lived on the trade block for a majority of the season, and there was potential for Chris Bassitt and Kevin Gausman to be traded as well. Furthermore, Alek Manoah suffered a season-ending elbow injury in late May, and top prospect Ricky Tiedemann has fought elbow injuries all season long, ultimately leading to him needing Tommy John surgery.

The Barstow, California native was selected by the Blue Jays in the first round of the 2010 MLB Draft, and he made his big league debut in 2014. He quickly developed a very important role within the pitching staff, posting a 3.22 ERA and 1.28 WHIP across 92.1 innings in 2015 in both starting and relief roles. His career was highlighted in 2016 when he went 15-2 with a 3.00 ERA, making his first and only career All-Star game and placing 7th in American League Cy Young voting.

Unfortunately, he was never able to reclaim his 2016 status, fighting multiple finger issues and poor performance over his next two and a half seasons in Toronto. He was dealt to the Houston Astros just minutes before the conclusion of the 2019 trade deadline along with RP Joe Biagini and infield prospect Cal Stevenson, in exchange for OF Derek Fisher. Before being signed by the Blue Jays in May, he had also spent time with the San Francisco Giants, Minnesota Twins, Washington Nationals, and Arizona Diamondbacks since 2019.