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Looking at what holes the Blue Jays need to fill on their 26-man roster
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Photo credit: © Wendell Cruz-USA TODAY Sports
Ryley Delaney
Jan 31, 2025, 20:00 ESTUpdated: Jan 31, 2025, 18:28 EST
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On Thursday evening, the Toronto Blue Jays signed Max Scherzer.
The veteran right-handed pitcher fills a valuable spot for the Blue Jays, as he’ll likely pitch in the backend of the rotation. Moreover, it pushed Yariel Rodríguez to the bullpen where he will serve as a long-man/spot starter when needed.
With that being said, there are still some things that the Blue Jays need to tend to this off-season to bolster their chances of contending in 2025. Let’s take a look at what the Blue Jays need to do to improve.

A left-handed reliever to use in high-leverage

The Blue Jays bullpen is all but set. Jeff Hoffman will close, Chad Green and Yimi García will set up, Erik Swanson, Nick Sandlin, and Brendon Little will be used in mid-inning relief, while Rodríguez will be used as the long-man. The only spot left for grabs is occupied by Tommy Nance, who is out of options.
Aside from Brendon Little, the Blue Jays don’t have a left-handed pitcher in their projected bullpen, much less one who can be used in high leverage (think Tim Mayza in 2023). One of the best relievers remaining is 35-year-old Danny Coulombe.
Last season with the Baltimore Orioles, the left-handed pitcher posted a 2.12 ERA and a 2.83 FIP in 29.2 innings pitched, with a 29.9 K% and a 4.7 BB%. His last full season was in 2023, where he had a 2.81 ERA and a 2.82 FIP in 51.1 innings pitched, and he has a career 3.52 ERA and a 3.67 FIP in 273.2 innings pitched since 2014.
There aren’t really other options for this role in free agency remaining.

A power-hitter that can fill the designated hitter role

For what feels like an eternity, the Blue Jays have been linked to Pete Alonso.
The team has been lacking a true power hitter in the designated hitter role since Edwin Encarnación, but Alonso would fit this role well. Last season, he slashed .240/.329/.459 with 34 home runs in 695 plate appearances for a 122 wRC+.
For his career, he’s slashing .249/.339/.514 with 226 home runs, reaching the 40 home run plateau three separate times, as well as hitting 53 home runs in his rookie season back in 2019. Adding Alonso would give the Blue Jays a third bat who could hit 40+ home runs along with Anthony Santander and Vladimir Guerrero Jr.
If the Blue Jays are unable to land Alonso, a good secondary option would be J.D. Martinez. Last season, he slashed .235/.320/.406 with 16 home runs in 495 plate appearances for a 108 wRC+ and a 0.6 fWAR. However, the 37-year-old slashed .271/.321/.572 with 33 home runs in 479 plate appearances in 2023 with the Los Angeles Dodgers.

A third baseman

Every on-field position has a guaranteed starter for the position. Well, except for third base. Ernie Clement provided strong defence at the position last season, but his bat is a little light for the hot corner. The Blue Jays also have a handful of prospects who could see action there, such as Addison Barger and Orelvis Martínez, but would they want someone more experienced?
Well, they’ve been linked to third baseman Alex Bregman in recent times. Last season with the Houston Astros, Bregman slashed .260/.315/.453 with 26 home runs in 634 plate appearances. His career best season came in 2019 when he slashed .296/.423/.592 with 41 home runs in 690 plate appearances, but he’s a good bet to hit 25+ home runs with a solid batting average and strong defence.
A low-risk, potentially high-reward type of signing can be found in Yoán Moncada. The 29-year-old third baseman spent most of the 2024 injured, but hit 14 home runs the last time he had over 600 plate appearances to give him a 120 wRC+. His best season came in 2019 when he slashed .315/.367/.548 with 25 home runs in 559 plate appearances for a 139 wRC+. In his last full season back in 2023, Moncada slashed .260/.305/.425 with 11 home runs in 357 plate appearances for a 98 wRC+.
Those two are the only two solid options remaining in free agency.

So what’s the ideal off-season look like

As of now, this off-season has been pretty solid from the Blue Jays. Getting Vladimir Guerrero Jr.’s extension done should be their number one priority, but adding Danny Coulombe, Pete Alonso, and Yoán Moncada would instantly make this team one of the best in the American League, especially if Moncada can find his 2019 form.
As always, you can follow me on Bluesky @ryleydelaney.bsky.social.

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