Blue Jays Extend J.A. Happ Shortly After Naming Him Fifth Starter

J.A. Happ made the Major League roster, the rotation and received an extension all in one week. The former Phillies and Astros pitcher perhaps best known for breaking Curtis Granderson‘s arm with a pitch earlier this spring, is now signed with the Blue Jays through 2014, Happ’s final arbitration year. The Blue Jays acquired a club option for 2015 as well.

For Happ, it’s short-term stability. By extending him through his final arbitration season ($5.2 million, up from the $3.7 million he will receive in 2013), it implies Happ is likely to be in the Major Leagues this year and next year. The club option is worth $6.7 million in 2015) meaning the Blue Jays can have a cost-controlled starter the next three years if necessary or a starter at a fixed rate for two years.

Happ has started and pitched in relief in his young career and has a ceiling of a back-of-the-rotation arm. This will be his first attempt in the American League after beating out Ricky Romero for the final spot in the Blue Jays’ rotation. Romero was optioned to the minors earlier this week to work on his control among other issues developed during an awful 2012 campaign.

Happ’s major league career has not been overly impressive. Never pitching more than 166 major league innings, the 30 year old has a 35-35 career record and has not posted an ERA under 4.79 (his 2012 ERA) the past two years. Happ did enjoy one elite season, when he went 166 innings and posted a 2.93 ERA and 12-4 record for the Phillies in 2009.

Now he will be asked to build on an excellent spring (23.2 innings, 1.90 ERA, 18K and 1.27 WHIP) and deliver in the AL East for a team looking to win the World Series.