Better know your Blue Jays 40-man: Sam Gaviglio

Sam Gaviglio came over to the Blue Jays in a trade from the Royals last March. I didn’t think we’d see much of him but we did. He started the season in Buffalo, but got called up May 11th and stuck with the team the rest of the way.

He made a couple of appearances out of the pen and then went into the rotation and would go on to make 24 starts.

His first few starts went well, first 9 starts he had a 3.97 ERA. The rest of the way, things didn’t go as well, 15 starts, 3-12 and a 6.40 ERA. At season end he said that he lost his feel for the slider as the season went on. He threw mostly sinkers and sliders (FanGraphs says he threw 47.7% sinkers and 28.7% sliders), so if one isn’t working great, it isn’t a recipe for success.

What is his role this year?

Spring training should answer that. He’s one of half a dozen guys with a shot at the 5th starter spot (presuming Stroman, Sanchez, Shoemaker and Borucki get the first four spots). If he doesn’t get the job, then he’s got a possibility to make the bullpen. He could be handy as a long man out of the pen.

Or, he has an option, he could end up in the rotation in Buffalo, waiting for an opportunity to make it back to the majors.

Or, we are likely to need a spot on the 40-man roster by the end of spring training. It is possible he could be DFAed to make room.