Tarik Skubal noticed coaching with Blue Jays’ Bowden Francis

Article content material

See extra Toronto Solar on Google — save as a Most popular Supply 

Bowden Francis hasn’t pitched for the Blue Jays since 2025, however he might be serving to Toronto rating an enormous win in free company this low season.

Article content material

Article content material

Francis, who missed your entire 2026 MLB season after present process Tommy John surgical procedure the earlier yr, has been noticed figuring out with Tarik Skubal – the previous Cy Younger Award winner and greatest pitcher on the free-agent market.

Skubal, who completed the season with the L.A. Dodgers after a mid-season commerce from the Detroit Tigers, and Francis had been seen coaching collectively in Phoenix, Ariz., with APEX Efficiency Facility sharing pictures of the duo on its Instagram account.

Francis additionally posted a photograph with Skubal on his Instagram Story as the 2 performed catch and helped one another with stretching and coaching.

Article content material

Whereas rival gamers have been identified to coach collectively through the low season, Blue Jays followers can’t assist however dream of the potential for including a pitcher of Skubal’s high quality to Toronto’s rotation.

By the 2026 MLB season, the Blue Jays rotation suffered by a collection of accidents and inconsistent performances from practically all of its starters. The lone exception gave the impression to be Cy Younger Award finalist Dylan Stop — Toronto’s massive free-agent addition final low season — however even he started to put on down in the direction of the top of the season and battled by a loss in velocity.

With starters Shane Bieber and Max Scherzer changing into free brokers, the Jays rotation might use some work heading into 2027.

Will the Blue Jays attempt to signal Tarik Skubal?

Whether or not or not Toronto will make a play for Skubal, who ought to fetch a long-term deal and certain at a record-setting value wherever he goes, stays to be seen. However having an in depth connection to the 2024 Triple Crown winner definitely doesn’t damage.

Article content material

Article content material

Skubal gained the AL Cy Younger Award in 2024 and 2025 with the Tigers earlier than being dealt to the Dodgers forward of the MLB commerce deadline this summer season. Over his seven-year MLB profession, the lefty has a report of 66-44 whereas posting an ERA of three.02 and has racked up 1,075 strikeouts in 925.1 innings.

There are a number of groups believed to be eager about signing the 29-year-old ace, with the Dodgers and Mets thought-about the highest two suitors.

Nonetheless, the largest curveball that groups shall be anticipating is the labour negotiations between MLB and the Gamers Affiliation, with a lockout more likely to begin on Dec. 1 after the present Collective Bargaining Settlement expires.

Some of the contentious points is a possible wage cap, which might put a damper on the dimensions of the contract a participant of Skubal’s character might signal.

What does the Blue Jays’ rotation appear to be?

As for Francis, he’s hoping to return to the mound in 2027 with the Blue Jays after having misplaced greater than a yr of his profession attributable to harm. Over components of 4 seasons with the Jays, the 30-year-old righty has a report of 11-13 in 27 begins and an ERA of three.87.

Article content material

Whereas the scenario involving the Blue Jays rotation for subsequent yr stays in flux, it’s anticipated that Stop, Jose Soriano and Trey Yesavage have spots locked down, whereas Cody Ponce additionally ought to be coming back from his knee harm.

Earlier this week, Francis and Ponce had been amongst a gaggle of gamers that the Blue Jays activated from the 60-day Injured Checklist, formally transferring them again onto the workforce’s 40-man roster.

The Jays ought to be seeking to at the least add some depth in free company, with followers stumping to see former ace Kevin Gausman return to Toronto after his mid-season commerce to the Chicago Cubs.

Article content material