Why Clay Buchholz Will Thrive With The Blue Jays

Clay Buchholz is returning to the AL East as a member of the Toronto Blue Jays. Specifics of the deal haven't been fully disclosed. But it appears to be a one year deal where Buchholz could earn up to $6 million with incentives. OK, this isn't as monumental a signing as Bryce Harper joining the Philadelphia Phillies, but this could turn out be a nice free agent signing.

Buchholz, 34, is familiar with the Jays having spent most of his career with the Boston Red Sox. His 10 seasons at Fenway were an enigma. He threw a no-hitter in his second big league start in 2007. In 2008, his ERA was 6.75. Buchholz would enjoy his finest season in 2010 when he won a career high 17 games earning his first AL All-Star selection. A second AL All-Star selection and a World Series ring would follow in 2013 when he went 12-1 with a 1.74 ERA in 16 starts. Although Buchholz had stretches of brilliance, he was frequently injured making five trips to the DL during his tenure in Boston for a variety of injuries and ailments.

By 2016, Buchholz had been banished to the bullpen and was traded to the Philadelphia Phillies at season's end for minor league infielder Josh Tobias. Buchholz's tenure in Philly was short. After only two starts in 2017, Buchholz would have a season ending injury in his forearm that would require surgery.

Buchholz began 2018 with the Kansas City Royals, but the team would release him during spring training. He would hook with the Arizona Diamondbacks and in 16 starts went 7-2 with a 2.01 ERA before injuries caught up with him yet again.

Despite his history with injuries, Buchholz is a good risk for the Blue Jays as a number four or five starting pitcher. Buchholz does his best pitching at Rogers Centre. In 17 appearances (16 of them starts) at Rogers Centre, Buchholz is 11-3 with a 2.63 ERA. If Buchholz can sustain that level of success in a Blue Jays uniform he will help make them competitive in a very tough AL East. If nothing else, he can mentor younger pitchers on the challenges of pitching in the hothouse flower environment of Fenway Park and Yankee Stadium.