Frasor is still the Golden Boy

It was not that long ago that Jason Frasor was forever damned to the bowels of the bullpen. Now after settling in quite nicely as the interim closer, Frasor has become one of the shining stars of the Toronto Blue Jays. 

Frasor has been a very busy guy due to the fact that he’s made four appearances and collected four saves this week alone. Two of those saves came with runners on base, but Frasor buckled down and did not allow a single run in those four games. Despite Cito Gaston’s mismanagement of the bullpen, one pitcher that has provided him with consistent results has been the golden boy, Jason Frasor.

The most notable difference in Jason Frasor compared to last year is his control. His BB/9 has plummeted from 6.08 to 2.66 since 2008. He has surrendered just 15 walks alone this season, which is one of the best in the Jays bullpen. Couple that with an addition of a changeup and Frasor has been nearly unstoppable.


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Frasor ranks in the top ten relievers in the American League when it comes to WHIP (0.99), FIP (2.89), opponent batting average (.197), and HR/9 (0.53).

Personally, I would love to see the Blue Jays give Frasor the full-time closer position next year. The problem with that is it doesn’t financially make sense to pay Scott Downs $4 million dollars to be the setup man. Jason Frasor will hit arbitration this off-season and just ballparking a guess here, he will probably command somewhere in the neighbourhood of $2 million dollars.

As great as the golden boy has been this year, he is likely to regress a little bit in 2010. Scott Downs suffered the same fate this year and hopefully he will bounce back next year and can put those nagging injuries behind him for good.

So what have the Blue Jays learned thanks to the emergence of Jason Frasor? Always look twice because you never know when you might find a diamond in the rough.

Ian Hunter

Ian has been writing about the Toronto Blue Jays since 2007. He enjoyed the tail-end of the Roy Halladay era and vividly remembers the Alex Rodriguez "mine" incident. He'll also retell the story of Game 5 of the 2015 ALDS to his kids for the next 20 years.

8 thoughts on “Frasor is still the Golden Boy

  • September 13, 2009 at 9:09 pm
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    Nobody can argue that JP builds great bullpens mostly from guys you wouldn't think too much about. Is Arnsberg part of this equation because they've had great pitching regardless of injury or inexperience since he's been onboard..

  • September 13, 2009 at 9:13 pm
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    PS- over at jaysfan. com there is a similar posting regarding Tallet and Frasor if you're interested. No I don't write it or know the guy who does, just sayin's all…

  • September 13, 2009 at 11:03 pm
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    I've got to admit … I was sure Frasor was just waiting for something to go wrong and then we'd be back where we started. But he's been pretty awesome for a good stretch now. I honestly hope that they don't determine closer by who's being paid more … if Frasor earns it, let Downsy set him up for god's sake, or move him if his cost/benefit doesn't fit.

  • September 14, 2009 at 4:29 pm
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    I think Frasor deserves a legitimate shot. His career ERA is in the low 3's. If anything he's consistent.

  • September 14, 2009 at 8:31 pm
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    "So what have the Blue Jays learned thanks to the emergence of Jason Frasor?"
    Well I'd like to think it's "Don't pay too much for a closer," but JP should have learned that one from Billy Beane before he even came to the Jays.

  • September 15, 2009 at 6:26 am
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    In hindsight Ryan was a bad signing, but he doesn't come to the Jays without the big bucks. And before his TJ surgery and general ineffectiveness that led to his pseudo-retirement, Ryan was lights out for the Jays and justified his pay. Having a lock down closer is a fairly significant piece to a team, especially to a young one. Nothing more demoralizing to a developing team than to see leads disappear or have the team trail by one run, only to see the team go down three or four runs bottom 9th.

  • September 15, 2009 at 10:11 pm
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    Mattt, not sure if Arnsberg is part of the equation or not but they're doing a hell of a job regardless.

    QJays, I would love to see Frasor take over the closer's job next year but I hope that he keeps up these numbers in 2010.

    Torgen, it still baffles me that J.P. signed B.J. Ryan to the most lucrative closer deal in history when Ryan only had one year of experience in that role with the Orioles. I guess he didn't do his homework on that one.

    BK, I think a closer should always some within the system – never should be paid for. As we've seen this year, it can be a revolving door – so even if you pay a guy $10 million a year to close games, there are no guarantees that he will be the closer at the end of the season.

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