The Toronto Blue Jays have made one big move to begin the offseason, which was signing Dylan Cease to a seven-year deal.
However, the Blue Jays have been adding depth to their roster amid the Bo Bichette question mark. Bichette is a free agent, and Toronto could have to replace him. So, the Blue Jays signed Carlos Mendoza, a ‘super utility’ player, to a minor-league deal, according to Emily Waldon.
Mendoza spent last season in AA and AAA in the Detroit Tigers organization and can play all over the field. He adds some infield insurance to the Blue Jays organization and could compete for a roster spot in spring training.
The soon-to-be 26-year-old can play second base, third base, and all three outfield positions. Between AA and AAA last season, he hit .287 with 7 home runs and 41 RBIs and could make his MLB debut with the Blue Jays in 2026.
Along with Mendoza, the Blue Jays also signed 26-year-old Rodolfo Castro. Castro spent all of last season in AAA in the Philadelphia Phillies‘ organization. He hit .235 with 19 home runs and 82 RBIs. He can play second base, shortstop, and third base, and has played in 194 career MLB games.
The final minor-league player the Blue Jays signed is right-handed pitcher Tanner Andrews. All three players should get an invite to spring training and compete for a roster spot. Andrews is a relief pitcher who spent last season in AA in the Minnesota Twins organization and in Indy Ball.
Blue Jays Praised for Mendoza Signing
The Mendoza signing won’t create many headlines, but it is a sneaky good signing, according to one analyst.
Blue Jays analyst Edward Eng of Jays Journal praised Toronto’s front office for the signing of Mendoza, which he called a ‘sneaky good move.’
“Adding promising depth pieces to a contending roster is often the key to long-term sustainable success,” Eng wrote. “For the Toronto Blue Jays, they did just that with an intriguing recent signing. The Blue Jays managed to add former Detroit Tigers prospect Carlos Mendoza on a minor league deal to serve as valuable positional player depth in the organization. …
“The Blue Jays are always looking for players with great positional flexibility to pair with solid contact hitting and defense in recent times, as with the emergence of Ernie Clement, the evolution of Nathan Lukes, and the maturing of Addison Barger, the overall mold of Mendoza fits in perfectly with Toronto’s makeup. Especially with Mendoza reaching the Triple-A level last season with the Tigers, he could even be ready to challenge for a potential bench role in the not-so-distant future with the Blue Jays.”
Mendoza’s versatility could earn him a mid-season call-up, especially if the Blue Jays face some injuries.
Toronto Still Hoping to Sign Bichette
The Blue Jays’ signings of Mendoza and Castro could eventually be more important than expected if the team doesn’t bring back Bo Bichette.
Bichette is still a pending free agent, and general manager Ross Atkins said the team will be in his market.
“Great player,” Atkins said of Bichette at the GM Meetings. “Bo’s been a significant part of us being in a strong position today and a reason that we’re coming off five solid seasons of baseball and one really, really good year of baseball. He’s had a lot to do with it. I know he’s going to be attractive to the market. We’ll be in his market.”
Bichette is a two-time MLB All-Star and has spent his entire career in Toronto.
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