Looking at if a reunion with Anthony Kay makes sense for the Blue Jays
Photo credit: © Brad Penner-Imagn Images
Nov 29, 2025, 19:00 ESTUpdated: Nov 29, 2025, 14:51 EST
Last season, a minor league deal paid off for the Toronto Blue Jays.
On Dec. 13, it was reported that the Blue Jays signed left-handed pitcher Eric Lauer to a minor league deal. Lauer had proven to be effective in the past, authoring a 3.47 ERA and 4.30 FIP in 277.1 innings pitched in 2021 and 2022. However, Lauer had tough 2023 and 2024 seasons, ending the 2024 season in the Korean Baseball Organization.
Lauer was one of the biggest heroes of the Jays’ 2025 season. When Max Scherzer went down with an injury, and Bowden Francis struggled, it was Lauer who filled in the rotation and performed well, something the Jays desperately needed to happen. In 104.2 innings, the left-handed pitcher had a 3.18 ERA and 3.85 FIP, with a 23.9 K% and 6.1 BB%.
The left-handed pitcher is one of a handful of pitchers who struggled in the big leagues, went overseas, and found success upon returning. Merrill Kelly is perhaps the best example, granted he never pitched in the big leagues before heading to Korea for the 2015 season.
This season, there are a handful of candidates who could have the same type of season. Cody Ponce, 31, was drafted 55th overall in 2015, but struggled in his two seasons in the big leagues. Last season, he had a 1.89 ERA and 2.15 FIP in 180.2 innings pitched in the KBO. Foster Griffin, a former Blue Jay, had even fewer opportunities in the big leagues, just eight innings. But he found success in his three seasons in Nippon Professional Baseball, including a 1.62 ERA and 1.78 FIP in 78 innings pitched last season.
The other notable pitcher that fits this category, Anthony Kay, is a former Blue Jay and is perhaps the best fit of them all as a left-handed pitching starter. Kay spent the past two seasons with NPB’s Yokohama BayStars, winning the Japan Series with the team in 2024. In 2024, he had a 3.42 ERA and 2.84 FIP in 136.2 innings pitched, with a 20.2 K% and 9 BB%. Kay’s numbers improved quite a lot in 2025, finishing the year with a 1.74 ERA and 2.55 FIP in 155 innings pitched, along with a 21.5 K% and 6.8 BB%.
His last stint in the big leagues didn’t go well. The Jays acquired him and Simeon Woods Richardson from the New York Mets ahead of the 2019 deadline for Marcus Stroman. In 70.2 innings pitched over four seasons for the Blue Jays, Kay had a 5.48 ERA and 4.67 FIP before being designated for assignment after the 2022 season. He spent time with the Chicago Cubs and Mets in 2023, but didn’t find success there either. This time around may be different.
Still, it’s hard to envision a fit between the Blue Jays and Kay. While you could argue that the Blue Jays need a left-handed pitcher in the rotation, adding Kay on a major league deal just isn’t an option. The Jays have three players on the 40-man roster already vying for a spot in their rotation: Lauer, Ricky Tiedemann, and Adam Macko. Even then, the only way one of those three enters the rotation is if a starter goes down with an injury or if José Berríos is involved in a trade.
While a reunion with Kay would be fun, it just doesn’t make sense unless he signs a minor-league deal for a bullpen role. Surely, he’ll be looking for a starting role on a major league contract.
Ryley Delaney is a Nation Network writer for Blue Jays Nation, Oilersnation, and FlamesNation. She can be followed on Twitter @Ryley__Delaney.