The Toronto Blue Jays aren’t waiting around this offseason-they’re making moves, and they’re making them fast. Fresh off locking in Dylan Cease to a seven-year, $210 million deal, the reigning American League champions are doubling down on pitching. This time, they’re reaching into the international market and adding a red-hot arm in Cody Ponce.
Ponce, 31, is coming off a dominant year in the KBO with the Hanwha Eagles, where he didn’t just shine-he owned the league. A 17-1 record, a 1.89 ERA, and a staggering 252 strikeouts in 180.2 innings earned him the league’s MVP honors.
And just to put a cherry on top, he set a KBO record with 18 strikeouts in a single nine-inning game back in May. That’s not just dominance-that’s the kind of performance that makes front offices take notice, and clearly, Toronto saw enough to make a move.
According to reports, the Blue Jays are bringing Ponce in on a three-year, $30 million deal. It’s a calculated investment in a pitcher who’s found his groove overseas after a rocky start in the majors.
Originally a second-round pick by the Brewers in 2015, Ponce made his MLB debut with the Pirates in 2020 but never quite stuck. After a couple of tough seasons, he took his talents to Japan and Korea, where he reinvented himself.
Now, he returns stateside with a new level of confidence, refined mechanics, and a resume that demands attention. For Toronto, this isn’t just about adding depth-it’s about building a rotation that can go toe-to-toe with anyone in the league. Pairing Ponce with Cease gives the Jays a one-two punch with upside, experience, and swing-and-miss stuff.
Meanwhile, the Houston Astros are taking a different approach to their offseason rebuild-one that's more about value and upside. After missing the postseason for the first time since 2016, the Astros are clearly looking to retool, and they’ve started by adding right-hander Ryan Weiss on a one-year, $2.7 million deal. It’s a low-risk, high-reward move that could pay off big if Weiss carries over his recent form.
Weiss, 28, was also part of the Hanwha Eagles rotation in the KBO, where he quietly put together a strong two-year run-305 strikeouts, a 3.16 ERA over 270.1 innings. Though he never cracked the big leagues with the Diamondbacks or Royals, his performance overseas suggests he might be ready for the next step. The Astros clearly believe he’s worth a shot, and if he delivers, they hold a club option that could push his earnings north of $7 million.
The connection between Ponce and Weiss is a fun wrinkle-two former KBO teammates now landing back in MLB on the same night, both looking to prove they’ve leveled up. For Houston, Weiss represents the kind of savvy addition that’s become a hallmark of their front office: find value where others might not be looking, and trust their development system to maximize it.
As for the bullpen market, things are heating up fast. With Raisel Iglesias, Phil Maton, Ryan Helsley, and Devin Williams already off the board, the focus is shifting to Pete Fairbanks-and there’s no shortage of suitors.
The Detroit Tigers and Miami Marlins are both reportedly in the mix for the 31-year-old right-hander, who’s coming off the best season of his career. Fairbanks posted a 2.83 ERA over 60.1 innings and notched a career-high 27 saves in 2025. He’s been a key piece in the Rays’ bullpen since arriving via trade from Texas in 2019, but Tampa Bay declined his $11 million option, making him one of the more coveted arms still available.
For teams like the Tigers and Marlins, who are both looking to solidify the back end of their bullpens, Fairbanks offers a proven late-inning option with swing-and-miss stuff and postseason experience. His market value is peaking at just the right time, and with the relief market thinning, expect a deal sooner rather than later.
Bottom line: the stove is officially hot. The Blue Jays are all-in on building a powerhouse rotation, the Astros are quietly stacking upside plays, and the bullpen arms are flying off the shelf. December’s just getting started, but if these early moves are any indication, we’re in for a wild winter.