The Toronto Blue Jays aren't wasting any time shaking off the sting of their World Series loss to the Dodgers. If anything, they’ve come out swinging this offseason, making it clear they’re not content with just getting close - they want to finish the job.
The first big move was a statement: signing right-hander Dylan Cease to a seven-year deal. Cease, who was with the Padres last season, brings frontline rotation stuff and the kind of upside that can anchor a playoff rotation. Toronto didn’t just add an arm - they added a potential Game 1 starter.
But the Blue Jays didn’t stop there. They dipped into the international market and landed Cody Ponce, a righty coming off a dominant season in the KBO where he posted a 17-1 record and a 1.89 ERA. Sure, translating KBO success to MLB is never a guarantee, but Ponce’s numbers overseas were eye-popping, and Toronto clearly sees something in his profile that they believe will play at the big-league level.
Next came the bullpen reinforcements. The Jays locked down sidewinding right-hander Tyler Rogers on a three-year, $37 million deal. Rogers brings a unique look out of the pen with his submarine delivery and elite groundball rate - a weapon that can change the tone of a late-inning battle, especially in a hitter-friendly AL East.
And while the headline names have mostly been on the pitching side so far, Toronto made another under-the-radar move this week, signing veteran reliever Jorge Alcala to a minor league deal. It’s the kind of low-risk, potentially useful depth signing that often flies under the radar in December but can pay dividends by July.
Alcala’s 2024 season was rough, no way around it. He posted an 8.88 ERA over 22 appearances, bouncing between three teams - the Twins, Red Sox, and Cardinals - and was designated for assignment more than once.
But there’s still something intriguing here. Despite the struggles, Alcala averaged 97.2 MPH on his fastball last season, showing there’s still plenty of arm strength to work with.
Over his seven-year career, Alcala holds a 4.29 ERA with 34 holds and a save - not elite numbers, but serviceable, especially for a bullpen piece who could be called upon in case of injury or if a younger arm falters. He’s been around, he’s seen the ups and downs of a big-league bullpen, and that kind of experience can be valuable in a long 162-game grind.
For now, Alcala will likely start the year in Triple-A, but if he can show some consistency and command in Spring Training, don’t be surprised if he earns a call-up. Toronto’s front office knows the value of depth, especially in a season where the expectations are sky-high.
So far, the Blue Jays have made it clear: they’re not standing pat. They’re building a deeper, more resilient roster - one that’s aiming to not just return to the World Series, but to finish what they started.