39. Doyle Alexander

When Doyle Alexander arrived in Toronto in May 1983, his signing appeared to be a low-risk fallback for the roster. The 32-year-old right-hander had recently been released unceremoniously by the New York Yankees after a difficult period, and having moved through six major league teams over 13 seasons, it was understandable if he was nearing the end of his career. However, this familiar story took an unexpected turn. Alexander not only revived his career in Canada, but he also began the most productive and dominant pitching streak of his life.

Alexander quickly showed he still had plenty of strength, maintaining the staff's performance through the rest of the 1983 season by securing seven wins with a consistent 3.93 ERA. This foundation set the stage for an extraordinary breakthrough in 1984. Acting as the calm, reliable counterpart to the fireballing ace Dave Stieb, Alexander delivered a season of excellence. He expertly controlled the strike zone with precise movement, finishing with an impressive 17–6 record and a tight 3.13 ERA, leading the American League with a remarkable .739 winning percentage.

Far from a one-hit wonder, he perfectly echoed that high-volume output in 1985. Alexander delivered another stellar 17-win season, pitching 260.2 innings over 36 starts and posting a solid 3.45 ERA. With his veteran consistency leading the rotation, the Blue Jays achieved their first-ever American League East pennant with 99 wins. Although he struggled against Kansas City in a tough ALCS, his regular-season performance earned him a career-best sixth place in the AL Cy Young voting, the first time he received award votes.

The following summer, after a sluggish, inconsistent start to the 1986 campaign, the front office capitalized on his market value by orchestrating a landscape-shifting trade with the Atlanta Braves. Toronto sent Alexander south in exchange for a young, power-armed prospect named Duane Ward—a transaction that would later solidify the back of the Blue Jays' championship bullpens for years to come. Alexander would go on to enjoy several more famous workhorse seasons, notably carrying the Tigers into the 1987 playoffs.

With Toronto, Alexander appeared in 105 games (104 starts) and posted a magnificent 46–26 record, a 3.56 ERA, and a 1.25 WHIP. He accumulated 721.2 innings and 332 strikeouts.