A number of MLB veterans are nonetheless obtainable on the free agent market, and plenty of of them have ties to the Blue Jays.
I don’t see there being any reunions on the horizon both despite the fact that it appears to be like like Ross Atkins hasn’t completed his low season buying simply but, however it nonetheless doesn’t damage to investigate cross-check previous associates.
So which former Jays are nonetheless in search of work in 2025?
Catchers
There are two former Blue Jays backstops nonetheless obtainable in the marketplace, and each most likely fall into the backup catcher class as of late.
The group can be headlined by Yan Gomes, who performed simply 34 video games final season for the Chicago Cubs and didn’t fare all that properly when he was on the sphere. Nonetheless, with a 13-year profession on his resume and a little bit of offensive upside, it wouldn’t be a shock to see Gomes signal a minor league cope with an invitation to spring coaching. Had the Blue Jays not simply signed Christian Bethancourt and Ali Sanchez to respective MiLB offers, there might have been a possible match right here behind Alejandro Kirk in Toronto. Gomes spent the primary 43 video games of his profession as a Blue Jay earlier than being traded to Cleveland forward of the 2013 season.
Yan Gomes • 07/29/2023 pic.twitter.com/BdYkErzZXi
— Random Dingers (@randomdingers) January 24, 2025
The second title can be Luke Maile, who was a Blue Jay from 2017-19 and appeared in 158 video games. Maile spent final season with the Reds backing up Tyler Stephenson, and whereas he’s nonetheless a strong defender, he didn’t provide a lot with the bat and slashed simply .178/.268/.252.
First Base
The Blue Jays weren’t fairly as aggressive final winter when it got here to upgrading their lineup, and so they in the end paid for it with one of many weakest collective offensive showings that they’ve had in years.
One of many “worth” signings they went with was 39-year-old Justin Turner, who largely struggled throughout his time as a Blue Jay earlier than he was traded to the Seattle Mariners forward of the deadline. He turned issues round a bit in a brand new jersey, however thus far he’s nonetheless ready for an additional alternative.
Second Base
Though he’s now 36 years previous, it feels a bit shocking that Whit Merrifield continues to be in search of an MLB job at this level. Granted he struggled final season throughout time cut up between the Philadelphia Phillies and Atlanta Braves and slashed .222/.311/.314 throughout 95 video games, however he nonetheless affords loads of versatility and veteran management to a big-league locker room.
Merrifield was an All-Star with the Blue Jays as not too long ago as 2023 and will nonetheless have one thing to supply on the highest degree. That stated, he might need to accept a really modest contract to proceed his profession.
Whit Merrifield additionally having an okay time. pic.twitter.com/DEkgAgMJbk
— Ian Hunter (@BlueJayHunter) October 1, 2023
The second title among the many second basemen checklist can be Brandon Drury, who also needs to ultimately discover a massive league job earlier than Opening Day. The 32-year-old had a horrible season with the Angels in 2024, however the 12 months earlier than he managed 26 dwelling runs, 30 doubles, and 83 RBI over 125 video games. With the flexibility to play second, third, first base, and even play an outfield nook in a pinch, I’d be stunned if Drury can’t discover a position someplace.
Shortstop
Imagine it or not, there are two shortstops with transient ties to the Blue Jays as properly.
Paul Dejong spent a spectacularly unhealthy 13 video games as a Jay in 2023 and managed to rack up -0.8 bWAR earlier than they’d no alternative however to designate him for project. The now 31-year-old bounced again and cut up final season between the White Sox and Royals whereas hitting 24 dwelling runs throughout 139 video games.
The opposite is Mason McCoy, who die-hard followers would possibly bear in mind from his six-game stint as a Blue Jay in 2023. The 29-year-old spent final season with the Padres group, the place he appeared in simply 19 video games.
Outfield
As I reviewed MLB’s checklist of free brokers from this 12 months, the checklist of former Blue Jays is fairly slim.
First, there’s Kevin Pillar, who introduced his intention to retire after the 2024 season with the Angels, solely to later change his thoughts and determine that he nonetheless had one thing to supply for at the least yet one more 12 months. The second title is Randal Grichuk, who performed with the Arizona Diamondbacks and carried out fairly properly by slashing .291/.348/.528 over 106 video games in 2024, additionally chipping in 12 dwelling runs, 20 doubles, and 46 RBI, largely in a platoon position. Each might see a contract earlier than or possibly when Spring Coaching rolls round, particularly if some groups get hit by the damage bug early.
Designated Hitter
Do not forget that quick stretch final spring when Daniel Vogelbach was the Blue Jays’ most harmful hitter? These have been tough occasions. As anticipated, the DH/1B continues to be in search of a brand new gig, and can all however actually should accept one other MiLB deal if he can proceed his MLB profession.
NO DOUBT‼️ Daniel Vogelbach welcomes Gerrit Cole to Spring Coaching with a ROCKET 🚀
(through @Sportsnet)pic.twitter.com/hLeutQFsMf
— FOX Sports activities: MLB (@MLBONFOX) March 1, 2024
Beginning Pitchers
There aren’t an entire lot of viable choices left in the marketplace for beginning pitchers, however there are two former Blue Jays nonetheless in search of work.
Ross Stripling performed north of the border from 2020-22 and was fairly efficient earlier than he ultimately left as a free agent to signal with the San Francisco Giants. That stint within the NL West didn’t go very properly in 2023, and the changeup artist didn’t fare a lot better with the Oakland A’s in 2024 both, ending the 12 months with a 6.01 ERA over 22 appearances that included 14 begins.
The one different starter who has donned a Blue Jays uniform earlier than is Chase Anderson, who made a short cease in Toronto in 2020. He made seven begins and three aid appearances. Anderson faces an uphill battle to proceed his profession after combating the Crimson Sox and Rangers final 12 months, however the veteran right-hander might nonetheless discover a possibility.
Aid Pitchers
A handful of relievers with acquainted names, together with Adam Cimber, Dominic Leone, Jay Jackson, and Zach Logue, are nonetheless in search of work.
With all due respect, all of those relievers will possible be taking a look at a MiLB contract and an invitation to Spring Coaching because the best-case situation at this level. Nevertheless, there’s one title that stands proud to me as somebody I wouldn’t be stunned to see the Blue Jays find yourself with, and that’s Ryan Yarbrough.
The soft-tossing southpaw tortured the Blue Jays for a number of years when he pitched for the Rays and ended up in a Blue Jays uniform final 12 months when he came to visit within the Kevin Kiermaier commerce. Whereas Atkins and firm have constructed a fairly strong bullpen group over the winter, they’re nonetheless missing a bit from the left facet, and so they might do worse than an previous pal who they’ve current expertise with.
Who did I miss? What number of of those former Blue Jays find yourself with new contracts, and what number of find yourself both retiring or looking for a possibility out of the country? With lower than two weeks till the Jays begin reporting to Spring Coaching, don’t be stunned if there’s a flurry of smaller strikes throughout the league within the subsequent week or so.
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