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News and Notes: Former Blue Jay Jacob Waguespack re-signs with the Rays
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Photo credit: © Kim Klement Neitzel - USA Today
Ryley Delaney
Nov 5, 2024, 07:00 ESTUpdated: Nov 5, 2024, 02:14 EST
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A former Blue Jay is sticking in Major League Baseball.
On Monday afternoon, it was reported that Jacob Waguespack agreed to a one-year deal worth $1.3 million with the Tampa Bay Rays, along with a team option worth $1.5 million for the 2026 season.
The Blue Jays acquired Waguespack from the Philadelphia Phillies before the 2019 trade deadline in exchange for Aaron Loup. He was solid that season, as he had a 4.38 ERA and a 4.91 FIP in 78 innings pitched. Unfortunately, Waguespack struggled mightily in 2020 and was designated for assignment. He spent one more season with the Triple-A Buffalo Bisons in 2021, before heading overseas for two seasons.
Before the beginning of the 2024 season, the Rays signed him to a minor league deal as his stuff improved while in Japan. In 10 innings pitched with the Rays, Waguespack finished the year with a 5.40 ERA and a 5.27 FIP, along with a 21.6 K% and a 19.6 BB%.
The Rays evidently see something in the 30-year-old.
Vladimir Guerrero Jr. is the sole player left from the Alex Anthopoulos era
On Monday, the Blue Jays made a litany of roster moves, one of which was losing Luis De Los Santos to the New York Mets, as they claimed him off waivers.
It’s not necessarily a big loss, as the infielder struggled in the big leagues as he had a .172/.226/.241 slash line with no home runs in 31 plate appearances. The 26-year-old signed with the Blue Jays on July 2, 2015, when general manager Alex Anthopoulos was still in charge.
That was the same day that Vladimir Guerrero Jr. signed with the Jays and he’s the last player remaining in the organization that was with the Jays while Anthopoulos was in charge. Of course, one of the Blue Jays’ biggest priorities this off-season is extending Guerrero Jr., as the 2025 season will be his final season under contract.

Ernie Clement and Spencer Horwitz changed their numbers

According to the Blue Jays transaction page, Ernie Clement has changed his number to #22, while Spencer Horwitz has changed his number to #3.
The last player to wear #3 for the Blue Jays was outfielder Jonathan Davis in 2021, while Brandon Drury, Gio Ursehla, and Ezequiel Carrera also have worn the number in the past decade.
As for #22, Tyler Heineman wore the number in 2022 and was the most recent Blue Jay to wear the number. Steven Matz wore it in 2021, Chase Anderson wore it in 2020, both Seunghwan Oh and David Paulino wore it in 2018, while two catchers (Josh Thole and Luke Maile) wore #22 in 2017. The most notable #22 in Blue Jays history is Jimmy Key, who wore the number from 1985 until after the 1992 season. Funnily enough, top free agent, Juan Soto’s number is also #22.
With both players changing their numbers to what they desire, it’s a good indication that they’ll both be on the 2025 Blue Jays. Last season, Horwitz slashed .265/.357/.433 with 12 home runs in 381 plate appearances for a 127 wRC+. Clement slashed .263/.284/.408 with a career-high 12 home runs in 452 plate appearances for a 94 wRC+ but provided terrific defence at third base and shortstop.

Lazaro Estrada selected to play in the Arizona Fall League All-Star game

There are only a handful of Blue Jays prospects who could be added to the 40-man roster to protect them from the Rule 5 draft. One of those players is Lazaro Estrada, who was named to the Arizona Fall League’s All-Star team according to Francys Romero.
So far in the AFL, the 25-year-old has a 3.86 ERA in 11.2 innings pitched, with a league-leading 19 strikeouts (41.3 K%) as well as an 8.7 BB%. Last season between Single-A, High-A, and Double-A, the right-handed pitcher had a 3.29 ERA and a 3.31 FIP in 98.1 innings pitched, along with a 28 K% and an 8.2 BB%.
Estrada features a mid-90s changeup, an excellent slider, and a very spinny curveball.
As always, you can follow me on Twitter @Ryley_L_D.

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