There’s a certain appeal to buying low on a baseball player. A pitcher has a disappointing season, his value takes a hit, and another team wonders whether it can get him back on track. That brings us to Andrew Abbott of the Cincinnati Reds and the Toronto Blue Jays.
Abbott had a rough 2026 season, finishing with a 4.61 ERA and a 1.452 WHIP over 32 starts. Those aren’t the numbers you’d put on a recruiting poster. But he also threw 166 innings, and the year before, he posted a 2.87 ERA and earned his first All-Star selection. That’s quite a swing in performance.
So, should Toronto at least pick up the phone?
Why the Blue Jays Might Be Interested
The Blue Jays have good reason to look for another starting pitcher. Their 2026 season exposed just how quickly a rotation can become a problem when injuries and departures pile up. Heading into 2027, Toronto needs dependable innings and enough depth to avoid putting too much pressure on its younger arms.
Abbott offers a few things worth considering. He’s a left-hander, he’s made at least 25 starts in each of the past three seasons, and he’s still under team control for several years. Toronto wouldn’t be renting a pitcher for a few months and then watching him walk away.
And let’s not forget 2025. A 2.87 ERA doesn’t guarantee he’ll return to that level, but it does suggest the 2026 season isn’t the only evidence Toronto should consider.
The Reds Might Not Be Ready to Deal
Here’s the catch: Cincinnati has reasons to hold on to him, too. Abbott is only 27, has already shown he can handle a full starter’s workload, and has several years of control remaining. The Reds don’t have to sell simply because one season went badly.
Cincinnati may be willing to discuss its starting pitchers, but the club would likely want a return that helps its present and future. That means Toronto probably wouldn’t get Abbott just by offering a couple of interesting prospects.
And there’s another question. Was Abbott’s disappointing season mostly bad luck and an unfriendly home ballpark for a fly-ball pitcher, or did something in his pitching actually change? Before making a serious offer, the Blue Jays would need to be comfortable with that answer.
A Sensible Gamble for the Blue Jays, Not a Sure Thing
I can see why Abbott would interest Toronto. He’s young enough to rebound, experienced enough to handle a rotation spot, and potentially affordable compared with some established free-agent starters. But the Blue Jays shouldn’t trade for him just because his value might be lower today. They need to decide whether they believe in the pitcher who excelled in 2025 or the one who struggled in 2026.
If the price is reasonable and the underlying numbers support a rebound, it’s a conversation worth having. If Cincinnati wants a premium prospect package, Toronto might be better off looking elsewhere.
The Blue Jays don’t need to find a bargain at any cost. They need to find a pitcher who can help them win. Abbott might be that guy. The trick is figuring out what he’s really worth.
