Check back for Blue Jays transactions and injury updates throughout the offseason.
Jan. 10: RHP Zach Thompson acquired by Blue Jays, OF Chavez Young traded to Pirates
Thompson is coming off a 5.18 ERA with the Pirates in 2022 over 121 2/3 innings, which included 22 starts and a handful of long relief appearances. The 29-year-old right-hander should offer the Blue Jays some starting depth, if needed, in the upper Minors, given that he has options remaining. Along with the recent signing of Drew Hutchison to a Minor League deal, Toronto is beginning to build out that starting depth group, which thinned at times in ‘22.
Young, the Bahamian outfielder who was beloved throughout the organization for his speed, defense and personality, spent 2022 with Triple-A Buffalo. He has shown flashes, at one point ranking on the Blue Jays’ Top 30 prospects list, but he has been left just off of the 40-man roster in recent years. He should be looking at a greater opportunity in Pittsburgh.
Jan. 10: 1B/DH Brandon Belt signs one-year, $9.3 million deal
The 34-year-old was a mainstay with the Giants for 12 years but now joins the Blue Jays as a veteran bat who will factor heavily into the DH reps and back up Vladimir Guerrero Jr. at first base when needed. Belt is coming off a down year, which ended early due to arthroscopic knee surgery, but he has a long track record of getting on base and hitting right-handed pitching. His lefty bat is another welcome addition to a Blue Jays lineup that suddenly has a much different look than it did just months ago.
Jan. 10: RHP Julian Merryweather designated for assignment
This was somewhat of a surprise on the surface, given Merryweather’s velocity and the flashes of upside he’s shown, but the numbers haven’t followed. In 52 2/3 career innings, slowed by multiple injuries, the 31-year-old owns a 5.64 ERA and wasn’t able to earn a higher-leverage role in ’22. This is still an arm the Blue Jays would love to keep in the organization if possible, though, as they continue to target more upside in their fringe bullpen depth.
Jan. 6: Blue Jays sign C Rob Brantly, RHP Julian Fernández, LHP Paul Fry, RHP Drew Hutchison and RHP Casey Lawrence to Minor League deals
This group, brought in to provide depth before camp, will all be in Major League Spring Training with the Blue Jays. Hutchison’s name immediately jumps out, as the right-hander, now 32, was the Blue Jays’ Opening Day starter in 2015. He most recently pitched for the Tigers, posting a 4.53 ERA over 105 1/3 innings last season, and will offer the ’23 Blue Jays some rotation depth should injuries arise.
Fernández, 27, is another piece of bullpen depth with upside for Toronto, able to touch 100 mph but still looking to put it all together after a brief MLB debut in ’21. Fry, a lefty, will also offer some bullpen depth after pitching five MLB seasons, while Lawrence returns as Triple-A depth following an outstanding ’22 season with Buffalo.
Brantly, the 33-year-old veteran, makes plenty of sense as a Triple-A option for the Blue Jays, waiting behind Danny Jansen and Alejandro Kirk following the Gabriel Moreno trade. He’s appeared in 135 career MLB games and 887 Minor League games.
Jan. 5: RHP Junior Fernández claimed off waivers from the Yankees
The 25-year-old was recently designated for assignment by the Yankees after pitching for both the Cardinals and Pirates in ’22, posting a 2.41 ERA with 14 strikeouts and 12 walks over 18 2/3 innings. Fernández’s main appeal is a sinking fastball that averaged 98.7 mph, and in a Toronto bullpen that’ has lacked velocity relative to the rest of baseball at times, that’s a welcome number. If Fernández lasts through Spring Training with the Blue Jays, he profiles as organizational bullpen depth with some upside.
Dec. 23: Blue Jays trade C Gabriel Moreno, OF Lourdes Gurriel Jr. to D-backs for OF Daulton Varsho
Varsho is exactly what the Blue Jays have looked for as a left-handed outfielder with offensive upside who is a gifted defender. In fact, his 18 Outs Above Average led all MLB outfielders in 2022, so alongside Kevin Kiermaier, this outfield should be exceptional. The 26-year-old, who comes with four years of club control, hit .235 with 27 homers and a .745 OPS last season.
The price was steep, though. Moreno is Toronto’s former No. 1 prospect and a Top 10 MLB prospect, viewed by many as a potential perennial All-Star. Gurriel is a free agent after this season, but he is another talented piece leaving this roster. Toronto is expected to continue looking for another outfielder to add to this group, but this is officially the Blue Jays’ big swing of the offseason.
Dec. 23: LHP Anthony Kay claimed off waivers by Cubs
Kay was designated for assignment a week ago when the Blue Jays signed Chris Bassitt, coming off a tough 2022 season after he showed some promise in years prior. Kay wasn’t expected to factor into Toronto’s starting depth in ’23, but the organization will still need to pad that group to protect against injuries.
Nov. 10: LHP Hyun Jin Ryu (Tommy John surgery) reinstated from 60-day IL
This is strictly procedural, and Ryu will still open the 2023 season on the 60-day IL as he recovers from Tommy John surgery. The next major update on his recovery process should come when Spring Training opens in February.
Oct. 27: OF George Springer undergoes right elbow surgery to remove bone spur
The elbow had bothered Springer through much of the 2022 season, particularly when he was throwing. This led to an increase in DH days for Springer, who also dealt with a variety of other injuries through the season. Springer also left the final game of the season, Game 2 of the Wild Card Series, on a medical cart after suffering a concussion, so few players on this roster need a full offseason more than him.
The Blue Jays fully expect Springer to be ready for the start of Spring Training in February, and his health will be a top priority in ’23. Springer’s all-out playing style tends to rack up the bumps and bruises, but it’s also part of what makes him great. You can expect another update on Springer’s overall health in the new year as the opening of camp in Dunedin, Fla., approaches.