The Blue Jays don’t need every answer to come from the top shelf this offseason. They need value, too - the kind of affordable additions that can steady a roster and patch a few obvious holes without forcing Toronto to overspend.
That’s why Tyler Alexander, Lane Thomas and Foster Griffin all make sense as lower-cost targets for Ross Atkins’ front office.
Alexander looks like the cleanest fit for a bullpen that was worn down by the end of last season. John Schneider leaned on his relievers in all kinds of roles, and Alexander’s ability to bounce around the relief mix would give Toronto some much-needed flexibility.
The left-hander is coming off a career-best season and made just $1.125 million. In 75 games for the Texas Rangers, he put up a 3.70 ERA and a 1.32 WHIP.
He faded late, but the Rangers used him as an opener, a setup man and a closer, which is exactly the sort of versatility that can help a bullpen survive the grind.
If Toronto swings big in the outfield and comes up short, Thomas is the kind of fallback option that still moves the needle. The Blue Jays are expected to chase the top names on the market, including Seiya Suzuki or Randy Arozarena, but Thomas would give them a useful right away answer against left-handed pitching - an area where Toronto struggled badly last season.
Against southpaws, he hit .262/.364/.440 with five home runs, 17 RBIs and 23 walks. He also brings speed, range and a disciplined approach at the plate.
His 11.8% walk rate and 20.8% chase percentage, per Baseball Savant, make him especially appealing in pinch-hit spots.
On the pitching side, Griffin stands out as a possible low-cost starter in a market that is expected to be fronted by Tarik Skubal, Shota Imanaga and possibly Corbin Burnes. Toronto would obviously love to land one of those names, but Griffin offers a different kind of solution: a left-handed starter who throws strikes and can give the rotation some stability.
He was traded to the Cleveland Guardians at the trade deadline, but his numbers before the All-Star break were strong - a 2.77 ERA, a 1.02 WHIP and 109 strikeouts. Over the regular season, he walked 45 hitters and struck out 158, a profile that should appeal to any club looking for a pitcher who stays in the zone.
He may draw more interest than expected, but the Blue Jays should be in that conversation.
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