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Santiago Espinal Settles at $2.1 MillionThe Toronto Blue Jays and infielder Santiago Espinal agreed to a one-year, $2.1 million deal to avoid salary arbitration. The 28-year-old has established himself as a vital component of the Blue Jays organization as a utility infielder. He spent the bulk of 2022 at second base but also saw some reps at shortstop and third. His bat has become a weapon after slashing .267/.322/.370 with a .692 OPS that earned him an all-star spot. Although the Blue Jays acquired Whit Merrifield last season, Merrifield had no issue getting some outfield reps. If Espinal can match the numbers he posted this past season, he should be a solid fantasy option with position eligibility at second, shortstop, and third base in 2023.
Source : RotoBallerUpdated : Jan 15, 2023, 4:34:59 AM- TOR
Blue Jays, Cavan Biggio Avoid ArbitrationThe Toronto Blue Jays and infielder Cavan Biggio avoided salary arbitration on Friday by coming to an agreement on a one-year, $2.8 million deal. The 27-year-old son of former second baseman Craig Biggio hit just .202/.318/.350 with a career-low .668 OPS, six home runs, 24 RBI, 43 runs scored and two stolen bases in 303 plate appearances and 97 games for the blue Jays in 2022. Biggio has regressed since his rookie season with Toronto in 2019 and has slashed a weak .213/.320/.353 with 13 home runs, 51 RBI and five stolen bases combined in the last two seasons. But he still will have fantasy appeal in deep mixed and AL-only leagues as a utility infielder in a strong Blue Jays lineup heading into next season.
Source : RotoBallerUpdated : Jan 13, 2023, 9:29:43 PM - TOR
Daulton Varsho To Make $3.05 Million In TorontoThe Toronto Blue Jays and catcher/outfielder Daulton Varsho avoided salary arbitration by agreeing to a one-year, $3.05 million deal on Friday. The Blue Jays upgraded their outfield depth and added a much-needed left-handed bat to their potent lineup when they acquired Varsho from the Arizona Diamondbacks this offseason. In just his third big-league season in 2022 with the D-backs, he hit .235/.302/.443 with a .745 OPS, career-high 27 home runs, 74 RBI, 79 runs scored and 16 stolen bases in 592 plate appearances and 151 games played. The 26-year-old provides defensive versatility at catcher and in left field, but he's expected to be Toronto's regular left fielder in 2023. The power-speed combination and the move to one of the better lineups in baseball have skyrocketed Varsho's fantasy value heading into next season.
Source : RotoBallerUpdated : Jan 13, 2023, 9:01:19 PM - TOR
Jay Jackson Signs Deal With Blue JaysThe Toronto Blue Jays signed free-agent right-hander Jay Jackson to a minor-league deal on Wednesday that includes an invitation to major-league spring training. Jackson became a free agent in November after he was outrighted to the minors by the Atlanta Braves. The 35-year-old only pitched in 1 1/3 innings at the major-league level in 2022 for the Braves, and he has a 4.21 ERA (4.16 FIP) and 1.32 WHIP with 80 strikeouts and 31 walks in 57 2/3 innings over 59 career MLB appearances (one start) over four seasons. Jackson will attempt to win a major-league roster spot out of spring training for Toronto as low-leverage bullpen depth.
Source : RotoBallerUpdated : Jan 11, 2023, 11:40:29 PM - TOR
Blue Jays Acquire Zach ThompsonThe Toronto Blue Jays acquired right-hander Zach Thompson from the Pittsburgh Pirates, Toronto announced in a tweet from the team's official Twitter account on Tuesday. The Blue Jays traded outfield prospect Chavez Young to Pittsburgh for Thompson. The 28-year-old pitcher made 29 appearances for the Pirates last season, 22 of which were starts. He posted a 5.18 ERA and a 4.87 FIP in 121.2 innings of work while logging 90 strikeouts compared to 46 walks allowed. He'll give Toronto some additional rotation depth after the likes of Alek Manoah, Kevin Gausman, Chris Bassitt, Jose Berrios, Hyun Jin Ryu, and Yusei Kikuchi. The Blue Jays designated right-hander Junior Fernandez for assignment to make room for Thompson on the team's 40-man roster.
Source : RotoBallerUpdated : Jan 10, 2023, 7:39:30 PM - TOR
Brandon Belt, Blue Jays Agree To One-Year DealThe Toronto Blue Jays and free-agent first baseman Brandon Belt reportedly agreed to a one-year, $9.3 million deal Monday, per The Athletic's Kaitlyn McGrath. The agreement has yet to be made official. In his 12-year career with the San Francisco Giants, Belt slashed a respectable .261/.356/.458. However, he only managed a .213/.326/.350 slash line with eight home runs and 23 RBI in 298 plate appearances as he dealt with a right knee injury in 2022. The 34-year-old will add a left-handed bat to a strong Blue Jays lineup and will offer depth at first base and designated hitter. The lineup switch is an upgrade for Belt, making him worth a late-round flyer despite his injury concerns.
Source : RotoBallerUpdated : Jan 10, 2023, 5:10:47 AM - TOR
Blue Jays Claim Junior Fernandez Off Waivers From YankeesThe Toronto Blue Jays claimed right-hander Junior Fernandez off waivers from the New York Yankees on Thursday. Fernandez has had a tumultuous couple of months, spending time with the St. Louis Cardinals, Pittsburgh Pirates and Yankees since last September. The 25-year-old Dominican spent the 2022 season with the Cardinals and Pirates, appearing in 16 games (18 2/3 relief innings) while posting a strong 2.41 ERA (5.79 FIP), 1.61 WHIP, 14 strikeouts and 12 walks. Fernandez has a big arm but has struggled with walks in both the minors and majors. In his four big-league seasons, he has a 5.17 ERA (5.57 FIP), 1.72 WHIP and 18.7 percent strikeout rate in 50 relief appearances. Toronto is the latest team to take a chance on him for relief depth.
Source : RotoBallerUpdated : Jan 5, 2023, 11:31:01 PM - TOR
Blue Jays Sign Julian FernandezThe Toronto Blue Jays signed hard-throwing right-hander Julian Fernandez to a minor-league deal on Thursday, according to a source. The 27-year-old relief pitcher spent the 2022 season at Triple-A Albuquerque and was prone to giving up the long ball. He spent the 2021 season with the Colorado Rockies and averaged 99 mph with his fastball while topping out at 103 mph. Fernandez recently pitched in the Dominican Winter League. Fernandez finished with a 6.63 ERA, 1.51 WHIP, 32 walks and 65 strikeouts while allowing 15 home runs in 57 innings over 58 relief appearances at Albuquerque last season. If he can somehow figure out his control and limit the long balls, Fernandez could find his way back to the majors with Toronto in 2023.
Source : RotoBallerUpdated : Dec 29, 2022, 11:12:01 PM - TOR
Injured Hyun Jin Ryu Hopes To Return In JulyToronto Blue Jays starting pitcher Hyun Jin Ryu (elbow) said he is right on schedule in his rehab from Tommy John surgery that he had in June and is targeting a return in July. He spent the last month in Korea with his family and will now continue his rehab back in the United States. Fantasy managers shouldn't expect the 35-year-old southpaw back until the second half of the 2023 season. Ryu gave up 17 earned runs on 32 hits while walking four and striking out 16 in six starts (27 innings) before needing season-ending surgery on his left elbow in 2022. He had an ERA below 3.00 in his first year in Toronto but has regressed in the last two years before ultimately succumbing to Tommy John surgery. The aging left-hander will be a shaky fantasy bet in the second half next season.
Source : RotoBallerUpdated : Dec 28, 2022, 11:18:11 PM - TORBlue Jays Acquire Daulton Varsho From D-Backs
The Toronto Blue Jays acquired catcher/outfielder Daulton Varsho from the Arizona Diamondbacks on Friday in exchange for catching prospect Gabriel Moreno and outfielder Lourdes Gurriel Jr., according to sources. The 26-year-old Varsho should see significant time in the outfield with the move to Toronto, and the move to the American League East and a very hitter-friendly ballpark in a potent offense will all add to Varsho's fantasy appeal heading into next season. He hit .235/.302/.443 with 27 home runs, 74 RBI, 79 runs scored and 16 stolen bases in 531 at-bats in his first full big-league season in Arizona in 2022. He will still have catcher eligibility in 2022, but he'll likely lose it going into 2024. Still, Varsho's power/speed combination in Toronto's dangerous lineup looks extremely appealing in fantasy moving forward.
Source : RotoBallerUpdated : Dec 23, 2022, 10:10:50 PM