I’m sure the Blue Jays will continue to hunt for a big fish. They’ll be endlessly connected to Alex Bregman, Anthony Santander, and every other homeless bopping bat. But, there are also plenty of value deals to be had out there.
These aren’t signings that will save an offseason after so many winter whiffs, but they would still improve the 2025 Blue Jays — whether that means helping Toronto to a miracle playoff spot or drawing back some value when flipped at the deadline. Here are four upside options I see still on the market:
RHP Cal Quantrill
The Blue Jays will add another arm this offseason, I’m sure of that. Yariel Rodríguez is currently pencilled into the fifth starter role, but Toronto could use another swingman or depth starting option to challenge him for the position, with the loser going to the bullpen. The Jays have been connected to Jose Quintana and Nick Pivetta as established SP options, but I’d argue Cal Quantrill is a more perfect union.
Quantrill’s best season in the big leagues came back in 2021. He posted 3.7 bWAR with Cleveland that year, making 22 starts and 18 relief appearances. He had a 3.12 ERA in the rotation and a 1.88 ERA out of the ‘pen. If the Jays get that kind of swing performance from Quantrill, he’s the perfect depth arm for this staff.
There is a reason he’s on this value list, of course. Since strong seasons with the Guards in 2021 and 2022, the Port Hope, Ontario native was DFA&#8217;d by Cleveland and owns a 5.08 ERA (5.10 FIP) in his last 48 outings. I&#8217;m willing to toss out last year, as Quantrill pitched in baseball purgatory, aka Colorado. But, 2025 could be a last shot for the 30-year-old pitcher. Why not take that chance at home?
RHP Spencer Turnbull
Turnbull is a very similar option to Quantrill with a lower starting upside and no Canadian connection.
The former Philly and Tiger has made 30 starts in a single season before, posting a 3.99 FIP in 148 1/3 innings for Detroit in 2019 (although he led the league in losses). After Tommy John cost him all of 2022 and seven disastrous starts in 2023, Turnbull found new life as a swingman for the Phillies last year. In 17 appearances (seven starts) he posted a 3.65 ERA, 3.85 FIP, and a career-high 9.6 K/9.
<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" data-width="550" data-dnt="true">
A cheap SP/RP option for teams could be Spencer Turnbull.
Nearly had a 1 fWAR last year with the Phillies. Career high 84 LOB% and 9.61 K/9. Had a 47.5 GB% and 2.65 ERA through 17 total appearances (7 starts) with PHI over 54.1 IP. Made $2M in 2024.<a href="https://t.co/mSCJ7NO7fI">pic.twitter.com/mSCJ7NO7fI</a>
&mdash; StatsBrad (@StatsBrad) <a href="https://twitter.com/StatsBrad/status/1880037168409907210?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">January 16, 2025</a></blockquote>
<script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>
Just like every pitcher in baseball, Turnbull added a sweeper last season and it immediately became his best pitch. He can lean on his four-seamer and 31% whiff sweeper out of the ‘pen, or draw on his full six-pitch repertoire as a depth starter. I’d prefer the legit mid-rotation upside of Quantrill, but if the Jays are going to shore up the depth, Turnbull is a respectable swing option.
OF Ramon Laureano
Toronto&#8217;s Opening Day outfield is currently some combination of George Springer, Nathan Lukes, Myles Straw, Joey Loperfido, Jonathan Clase, and Davis Schneider. They need an upgrade there — arguably three.
Ramon Laureano may not be an obvious boost to the outfield crop, but he did post a .832 OPS and hit 10 homers in just 67 games after joining the Braves halfway through last season. That OPS would’ve been Toronto’s second-best mark in 2024, behind only Vlad.
Laureano can play all three outfield positions, absolutely destroys left-handed pitching, and probably won’t get more than ~$5 million. The Jays need to help their outfield group and offense. Anthony Santander could be that fix, but guys like Laureano, Adam Duvall, Connor Joe, or Austin Hays could be the same solution for far cheaper.
<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" data-width="550" data-dnt="true">
RAMÓN LAUREANO’S 10th HOME RUN WITH THE BRAVES‼️‼️‼️<a href="https://t.co/j8ILSO2Vo2">pic.twitter.com/j8ILSO2Vo2</a>
&mdash; Kevin Keneely (@KevinKeneely1) <a href="https://twitter.com/KevinKeneely1/status/1840824770473926969?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">September 30, 2024</a></blockquote>
<script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>
C Elias Diaz 
The Blue Jays are currently projected to run out Tyler Heineman in the backup catcher spot. The 33-year-old backstop flashes a nasty card trick and can pull a rabbit out of his hat, but he&#8217;s more of a third-stringer than backup. Diaz, a long-time Rockies catcher, represents a clear upgrade.
Diaz brings a traditional backup catcher’s defensive prowess, ranking above the 75th percentile in throwing out runners, framing the ball, and pop time. He doesn&#8217;t have much with the bat, chasing a lot, rarely squaring up the ball, and owning a career OPS below .700. But, Diaz’s 88 OPS+ last year was the highest mark he&#8217;s posted since 2021 (using OPS+ to park adjust for the friendly confines of Coors Field). For context, that’s a higher OPS+ than Danny Jansen, Keibert Ruiz, and Patrick Bailey posted last year — three starting catchers teams regularly trotted out.
Diaz will certainly sign for less than the $8.5 million Jansen got with the Rays and could be just as good next year.
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I’m sure the Blue Jays will continue to hunt for a big fish. They’ll be endlessly connected to Alex Bregman, Anthony Santander, and every other homeless bopping bat. But, there are also plenty of value deals to be had out there.

These aren’t signings that will save an offseason after so many winter whiffs, but they would still improve the 2025 Blue Jays — whether that means helping Toronto to a miracle playoff spot or drawing back some value when flipped at the deadline. Here are four upside options I see still on the market:

RHP Cal Quantrill

The Blue Jays will add another arm this offseason, I’m sure of that. Yariel Rodríguez is currently pencilled into the fifth starter role, but Toronto could use another swingman or depth starting option to challenge him for the position, with the loser going to the bullpen. The Jays have been connected to Jose Quintana and Nick Pivetta as established SP options, but I’d argue Cal Quantrill is a more perfect union.

Quantrill’s best season in the big leagues came back in 2021. He posted 3.7 bWAR with Cleveland that year, making 22 starts and 18 relief appearances. He had a 3.12 ERA in the rotation and a 1.88 ERA out of the ‘pen. If the Jays get that kind of swing performance from Quantrill, he’s the perfect depth arm for this staff.

There is a reason he’s on this value list, of course. Since strong seasons with the Guards in 2021 and 2022, the Port Hope, Ontario native was DFA'd by Cleveland and owns a 5.08 ERA (5.10 FIP) in his last 48 outings. I'm willing to toss out last year, as Quantrill pitched in baseball purgatory, aka Colorado. But, 2025 could be a last shot for the 30-year-old pitcher. Why not take that chance at home?

RHP Spencer Turnbull

Turnbull is a very similar option to Quantrill with a lower starting upside and no Canadian connection.

The former Philly and Tiger has made 30 starts in a single season before, posting a 3.99 FIP in 148 1/3 innings for Detroit in 2019 (although he led the league in losses). After Tommy John cost him all of 2022 and seven disastrous starts in 2023, Turnbull found new life as a swingman for the Phillies last year. In 17 appearances (seven starts) he posted a 3.65 ERA, 3.85 FIP, and a career-high 9.6 K/9.

https://twitter.com/StatsBrad/status/1880037168409907210

Just like every pitcher in baseball, Turnbull added a sweeper last season and it immediately became his best pitch. He can lean on his four-seamer and 31% whiff sweeper out of the ‘pen, or draw on his full six-pitch repertoire as a depth starter. I’d prefer the legit mid-rotation upside of Quantrill, but if the Jays are going to shore up the depth, Turnbull is a respectable swing option.

OF Ramon Laureano

Toronto's Opening Day outfield is currently some combination of George Springer, Nathan Lukes, Myles Straw, Joey Loperfido, Jonathan Clase, and Davis Schneider. They need an upgrade there — arguably three.

Ramon Laureano may not be an obvious boost to the outfield crop, but he did post a .832 OPS and hit 10 homers in just 67 games after joining the Braves halfway through last season. That OPS would’ve been Toronto’s second-best mark in 2024, behind only Vlad.

Laureano can play all three outfield positions, absolutely destroys left-handed pitching, and probably won’t get more than ~$5 million. The Jays need to help their outfield group and offense. Anthony Santander could be that fix, but guys like Laureano, Adam Duvall, Connor Joe, or Austin Hays could be the same solution for far cheaper.

https://twitter.com/KevinKeneely1/status/1840824770473926969

C Elias Diaz 

The Blue Jays are currently projected to run out Tyler Heineman in the backup catcher spot. The 33-year-old backstop flashes a nasty card trick and can pull a rabbit out of his hat, but he's more of a third-stringer than backup. Diaz, a long-time Rockies catcher, represents a clear upgrade.

Diaz brings a traditional backup catcher’s defensive prowess, ranking above the 75th percentile in throwing out runners, framing the ball, and pop time. He doesn't have much with the bat, chasing a lot, rarely squaring up the ball, and owning a career OPS below .700. But, Diaz’s 88 OPS+ last year was the highest mark he's posted since 2021 (using OPS+ to park adjust for the friendly confines of Coors Field). For context, that’s a higher OPS+ than Danny Jansen, Keibert Ruiz, and Patrick Bailey posted last year — three starting catchers teams regularly trotted out.

Diaz will certainly sign for less than the $8.5 million Jansen got with the Rays and could be just as good next year.

<hr />

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4 value free agents the Blue Jays should pivot to with Spring Training a month away

Toronto Blue Jays catcher Alejandro Kirk (30) is safe at second base ahead of the tag by Chicago Cubs shortstop Dansby Swanson (7) during the fifth inning at Rogers Centre.

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