Toronto Blue Jays
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Adam Kloffenstein
Adam Kloffenstein NRI deal with Toronto
Tue, Jan 28, 2025, 6:44 PM
The Blue Jays signed Kloffenstein (shoulder) to a minor-league contract that includes an invitation to spring training Tuesday, Ari Alexander of KPRC 2 Houston reports.
Analysis: Kloffenstein missed the final two months of the 2024 season with a right shoulder injury and was non-tendered by the Cardinals even though he was not yet eligible for arbitration. It's not clear what his health status is, but the Blue Jays felt good enough about the righty to invite him to camp. Kloffenstein was dealt from Toronto to St. Louis at the 2023 trade deadline as part of the return for Jordan Hicks.
Richard Lovelady
Richard Lovelady Inks NRI contract with Toronto
Wed, Jan 22, 2025, 7:16 PM
The Blue Jays signed Lovelady to a minor-league contract Wednesday that includes an invitation to spring training, Keegan Matheson of MLB.com reports.
Analysis: Lovelady posted a 4.46 ERA and 1.31 WHIP over 34.1 innings between the Cubs and Rays in 2024. The left-handed reliever has limited lefty hitters to a .232/.312/.342 batting line in his career and will compete for a spot in the Blue Jays' bullpen.
Christian Bethancourt
Christian Bethancourt Nets NRI deal with Toronto
Wed, Jan 22, 2025, 7:13 PM
The Blue Jays signed Bethancourt to a minor-league contract Wednesday that includes an invitation to spring training, Keegan Matheson of MLB.com reports.
Analysis: Bethancourt joins the competition to serve as Toronto's backup catcher behind starter Alejandro Kirk. The 33-year-old had an .814 OPS in 24 games for the Cubs in 2024 after the Marlins cut him loose, but between the two stops he managed just a .608 OPS.
Brandon Eisert
Brandon Eisert DFA'd by Toronto
Tue, Jan 21, 2025, 12:20 AM
Eisert was designated for assignment by the Blue Jays on Monday, Keegan Matheson of MLB.com reports.
Analysis: Eisert was booted from the 40-man roster to make room for the signing of Anthony Santander. Eisert made three appearances in the big leagues a season ago and figures to compete for an Opening Day roster spot in camp.
Anthony Santander
Anthony Santander Agrees to deal with Toronto
Mon, Jan 20, 2025, 5:29 PM
The Blue Jays have agreed to a five-year, $92.5 million contract with Santander, Ari Alexander of KPRC 2 Houston reports.
Analysis: The deal includes an opt-out after 2027 season that can be voided if a 2030 club option is exercised. If the latter occurs, the total value of the contract would reach $110 million. It's a much-needed "win" for Toronto, as it has been in the running to sign numerous big free agents the last couple years but routinely has come up short. Santander is coming off a 2024 season which saw him slash .235/.308/.506 with 44 home runs, 91 runs and 102 RBI in 155 regular-season games with the Orioles. He will likely see plenty of starts both in left field and in the designated hitter slot.
Myles Straw
Myles Straw Traded to Toronto
Fri, Jan 17, 2025, 4:51 PM
The Blue Jays acquired Straw, cash considerations and international bonus pool space from the Guardians on Friday in exchange for a player to be named later or cash considerations.
Analysis: The Guardians will be covering $3.75 million of the $15.5 million Straw is still owed on his contract and will send $2 million in bonus pool money to Toronto, according to Ben Nicholson-Smith and Shi Davidi of Sportsnet.ca. While the club hopes to put the pool money toward a contract for Roki Sasaki, Davidi says Sasaki has not given the Blue Jays any indication that he's made a decision. Straw spent nearly all of the 2024 season in the minors and was removed from Cleveland's 40-man roster earlier this offseason.
Alek Manoah
Alek Manoah Still favorite for rotation job
Mon, Feb 12, 2024, 10:09 AM
Manoah (shoulder) is expected to head into spring training as the favorite for the Blue Jays' No. 5 starter job, Keegan Matheson of MLB.com reports.
Analysis: Kevin Gausman, Jose Berrios, Chris Bassitt and Yusei Kikuchi are locked into rotation jobs, but the Jays did little this offseason to add competition for the final spot. Yariel Rodriguez could eventually be a factor, but the Cuban hasn't been a regular starter in a few years after pitching out of the bullpen in Japan, and his workload will be monitored in his first North American season. That leaves Manoah fending off the likes of Bowden Francis and Mitch White for a starting spot. Despite a disastrous 2023, Manoah is just two years removed from a third-place finish in the AL Cy Young Award voting, and Toronto's counting on the 26-year-old righty to regain something close to that form. If he looks healthy and effective this spring, his draft stock could begin to creep up again.
Otto Lopez
Otto Lopez Exits 40-man roster
Fri, Feb 9, 2024, 9:12 AM
Lopez was designated for assignment by the Blue Jays on Friday, Kaitlyn McGrath of The Athletic reports.
Analysis: A spot on the 40-man roster was needed for Yariel Rodriguez, whose signing finally became official. Lopez saw spot action with the Blue Jays in 2021 and 2022 but spent all of 2023 at Triple-A Buffalo, posting a .656 OPS in 84 contests. The 25-year-old's bat is a little light, but he's young and can play all over the field, so there might be interest on waivers.
Yariel Rodriguez
Yariel Rodriguez Deal finally official
Fri, Feb 9, 2024, 9:09 AM
Rodriguez signed a four-year, $32 million contract with the Blue Jays on Friday, Kaitlyn McGrath of The Athletic reports.
Analysis: It's been more than three weeks since it was reported that the two sides had a deal in place, but it didn't become official until now while Rodriguez ironed out some visa issues. The contract includes a $6 million player option for 2028 which, if declined, becomes a $10 million club option. Rodriguez is expected to be used as a starter by the Blue Jays over the long haul, but he could get stretched out in the minors or in long relief first after not pitching anywhere in 2023.
Vladimir Guerrero Jr.
Vladimir Guerrero Jr. Wins arbitration case
Wed, Feb 7, 2024, 6:22 PM
Guerrero will make $19.9 million in 2024 after winning his arbitration case against the Blue Jays on Wednesday, Shi Davidi of Sportsnet.ca reports.
Analysis: Guerrero's numbers dropped in nearly every statistical category last season compared to the marks he set in 2022, but the slugging first baseman will receive a $5.4 million raise nonetheless. Guerrero remains a high-value fantasy asset, but his stellar 2021 campaign is beginning to look more like an anomaly than a season to base expectations off of.
Yariel Rodriguez
Yariel Rodriguez Yet to take physical
Wed, Jan 31, 2024, 1:12 PM
Rodriguez has yet to take a physical for the Blue Jays as he awaits a visa, Francys Romero of MLB.com reports.
Analysis: Rodriguez's four-year, $32 million agreement with Toronto was reported two weeks ago, but he still hasn't taken a physical before the deal becomes official. The 26-year-old remains in the Dominican Republic and will need visas from both the United States and Canada but plans to take a physical in whichever country issues his visa first. There's no apparent worry that the contract could fall through, but it's certainly taking longer than expected. Rodriguez is expected to be used as a starter by the Blue Jays, although he could get stretched out in the minors or in long relief first.
Justin Turner
Justin Turner Gets one-year deal from Blue Jays
Tue, Jan 30, 2024, 8:04 AM
Turner signed a one-year, $13 million contract with the Blue Jays on Tuesday, Jon Morosi of MLB Network reports.
Analysis: He can earn an additional $1.5 million in roster and performance bonuses. Turner is expected to be Toronto's primary designated hitter in 2024 while also providing the Jays with an option at third base and first base. Most importantly, he will give the team some more thump in the middle of its lineup. The 39-year-old slashed .276/.345/.455 with 23 home runs and 96 RBI last season with Boston.
Brian Serven
Brian Serven Sent outright to Triple-A
Mon, Jan 29, 2024, 10:27 PM
Serven was outrighted to Triple-A Buffalo on Monday.
Analysis: The Blue Jays quietly designated Serven for assignment and will send him to Triple-A now that he's passed through waivers. He was claimed by Toronto in mid-January and figures to serve as organizational depth at catcher.
Brian Serven
Brian Serven Claimed by Blue Jays
Tue, Jan 16, 2024, 2:56 PM
The Blue Jays claimed Serven off waivers from the Cubs on Tuesday, Kaitlyn McGrath of The Athletic reports.
Analysis: Serven has gone from the Rockies to the Cubs and now to the Blue Jays via waivers this month. The 28-year-old has slashed just .195/.248/.314 over 228 plate appearances at the major-league level, even as his home games have been played at Coors Field. Serven does have options remaining and, if he's still with the Blue Jays come Opening Day, he seems likely to be assigned to their Triple-A affiliate in Buffalo.
Erik Swanson
Erik Swanson Gets $2.75 million
Thu, Jan 11, 2024, 9:28 PM
Swanson agreed to a one-year, $2.75 million deal with the Blue Jays on Thursday, avoiding arbitration, Shi Davidi of Sportsnet.ca reports.
Analysis: Swanson was an excellent setup man for closer Jordan Romano in his first year with the Blue Jays after getting traded from Seattle. He had a 2.97 ERA, 1.10 WHIP, 75 strikeouts, four wins and four saves in 66.2 innings.
Trevor Richards
Trevor Richards Gets $2.15 million
Thu, Jan 11, 2024, 9:25 PM
Richards agreed to a one-year, $2.15 million deal with the Blue Jays on Thursday, avoiding arbitration, Shi Davidi of Sportsnet.ca reports.
Analysis: The 30-year-old swing man has made three or more starts in five of his six MLB seasons but he has not logged more than 75 innings since he threw 135.1 innings in 2019. Richards had a 4.95 ERA, 1.35 WHIP and 105 strikeouts in 72.2 innings last year.
Nate Pearson
Nate Pearson Avoids arbitration
Thu, Jan 11, 2024, 9:22 PM
Pearson agreed to a one-year, $800K deal with the Blue Jays on Thursday, avoiding arbitration, Shi Davidi of Sportsnet.ca reports.
Analysis: He won't be getting a significant raise after logging a 4.85 ERA, 1.27 WHIP and 43 strikeouts in 42.2 innings with the big club last season. Pearson still throws pretty hard, but he also gives up a lot of hard contact (47.5 percent last year). He should work in the middle innings this season.
Alejandro Kirk
Alejandro Kirk Gets $2.8 million
Thu, Jan 11, 2024, 9:16 PM
Kirk agreed to a one-year, $2.8 million deal with the Blue Jays on Thursday, avoiding arbitration, Shi Davidi of Sportsnet.ca reports.
Analysis: The Jays came to terms with both of their catchers Thursday, with the more senior Danny Jansen getting $5.2 million. Kirk will look to rebound after hitting .250 with eight home runs in 123 games last season, albeit with strong defense behind the plate.
Santiago Espinal
Santiago Espinal Agrees to terms
Thu, Jan 11, 2024, 9:13 PM
Espinal agreed to a one-year, $2.725 million deal with the Blue Jays on Thursday, avoiding arbitration, Shi Davidi of Sportsnet.ca reports.
Analysis: The 29-year-old utility player saw 20-plus games at second base and third base last season while playing 16 games at shortstop. His defensive versatility makes him more valuable in real life than in fantasy.
Cavan Biggio
Cavan Biggio Gets $4.21 million
Thu, Jan 11, 2024, 9:10 PM
Biggio agreed to a one-year, $4.21 million deal with the Blue Jays on Thursday, avoiding arbitration, Shi Davidi of Sportsnet.ca reports.
Analysis: The 28-year-old utility man has been a pretty steady producer for Toronto, save for a down 2021 season where he was worth -0.2 fWAR. Biggio is eligible at second base, outfield and first base, which is the most appealing aspect of his fantasy profile. He slashed .235/.340/.370 with nine homers and five steals in 338 plate appearances last season.

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