Aaron Sanchez has been demoted to the minors, but not because of performance issues.
The Toronto Blue Jays optioned the 24-year-old to Single-A Dunedin on Sunday. On face value, the move makes little sense. Sanchez has been dynamite in 2016, posting a 12-2 record in 24 starts with a 2.99 ERA and 3.33 WHIP. The talented right-hander fixed control issues while striking out a career-best 7.6 SO/9. Sanchez was named an all-star and drawn serious consideration for the American League Cy Young award. So what’s with the demotion? It was made so Toronto could have much-needed roster flexibility and manage Sanchez’s innings.
The Blue Jays went back-and-forth on the decision recently to put Sanchez in the bullpen in the midst of stellar season, eventually opting to have him remain as a starter and ride a six-man rotation to preserve his innings count. As a part of the move, Sanchez agreed to forfeit more than $11,000 in salary and spend 10 days in the minors without pitching in a game. Toronto called up Ryan Tepera in his place to add bullpen depth.
Toronto’s general manager Ross Atkins told Sportsnet he’s impressed with Sanchez’s selflessness to make the move, despite an impressive Major League season.
“Haven’t seen that one before,” general manager Ross Atkins said Sunday when asked if he knew of any relevant comparisons. “I’m really impressed with Aaron, being in the hunt for a Cy Young, being in the middle of a pennant race, and his willingness to do this is a testament to how he was raised and the kind of person he is. …
“He’s taking a hit.”
The surprise move is a win-win for both management and Sanchez.
Atkins and co. can rest easier knowing Sanchez will skip a pair of starts, preserving his arm as the Blue Jays gear up for a pennant race. Sanchez already surpassed 156 innings in 2016, a significant increase from his minor league career-high of 100.1 innings. Sanchez admitted his arm doesn’t feel worn out, but sitting out means Toronto can better manage him going forward.
As for Sanchez, sitting out will be difficult, as is forfeiting more than 11 grand, but he made the agreement in order to stick in the Blue Jays rotation. It’s the price he must pay to avoid pitching out of the bullpen for the rest of the season. I’m sure Sanchez and Toronto management will figure out a way for Sanchez to regain his lost salary – so it’s just an extra break which allows the Blue Jays to carry another bullpen arm at his expense.
Still, the move is a strange one to process. Sanchez has a shot at winning the AL Cy Young trophy in the same season he’s been optioned to the minor leagues. At least Sanchez can go to the minors knowing he’s there for the right reasons. The Blue Jays are doing him a solid keeping him as a starter at the cost of a 10-day layover. It’s a reasonable tradeoff.
