TORONTO - The Toronto Blue Jays extended a qualifying offer to right-hander Marco Estrada on Friday.
He has one week to accept or reject the US$15.8-million offer for next season. If he declines and signs elsewhere, the Blue Jays would be entitled to a compensatory draft pick.
Estrada, 32, was a key member of the Toronto rotation last season. He was 13-8 with a 3.13 earned-run average and 131 strikeouts over 181 innings.
Estrada was just as strong in the playoffs, posting a 2-1 mark and 2.33 ERA.
The Blue Jays reached the post-season for the first time since 1993 but fell to Kansas City in the American League Championship Series. Estrada came through with a dominant performance in a must-win Game 5, allowing three hits and one earned run over 7 2/3 innings in a 7-1 victory over the Royals.
His other post-season victory also came in a must-win situation. Estrada gave up one earned run and five hits over 6 1/3 innings as Toronto beat the Texas Rangers 5-1 in Game 3 of the American League Division Series.
The Blue Jays went on to win the series in five games.
Estrada, who earned $3.9 million last season, was acquired last November in a trade that sent Adam Lind to Milwaukee. The 32-year-old Mexican made his big-league debut with the Washington Nationals in 2008 and played for the Brewers from 2010-'14.
Toronto's starting rotation will be a top priority for interim general manager Tony LaCava this off-season.
It's unclear whether the team will make a serious run at ace left-hander David Price, who is one of the biggest free-agent names on the market. Veteran southpaw Mark Buehrle is also a free agent and is expected to retire or play closer to home.
Right-hander Marcus Stroman may serve as the ace next season and knuckleballer R.A. Dickey will also be back after the team picked up his option this week. Drew Hutchison could also be in the mix and the team may decide to move Aaron Sanchez and Roberto Osuna into the rotation as well.
Also Friday, the Blue Jays promoted Joe Sheehan to the position of director of analytics. He previously served as baseball research and development manager.
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