The Toronto Blue Jays have finally addressed their bullpen.
The Blue Jays acquired right-handed reliever Chase Lee from the Detroit Tigers for minor-leaguer Johan Simon. The Athletic’s Ken Rosenthal and Will Sammon first reported the news.
Lee is a 26-year-old righty who was a rookie last season. He’s a sidearm thrower who went 4-1 with a 4.10 ERA in 32 games last season with the Tigers. He’s eligible to be sent down to the minors, which gives Toronto some roster flexibility.
The right-hander throws a 4-seam fastball, a sweeper, a sinker, and a changeup. However, velocity isn’t something he’s known for, as his fastball averaged just 89.2 MPH. His sweeper is his go-to pitch as he got 26.3% whiffs on it, according to Baseball Savant.
Lee will look to earn a roster spot in the Blue Jays’ bullpen in spring training. If he does, he’d likely be a low-leverage reliever, meaning Toronto could still be after a high-leverage arm.
Simon, meanwhile, is a 24-year-old left-handed reliever who ended last season in Double-A New Hampshire. Simon began the season in Dunedin before being promoted to Vancouver and New Hampshire. In Double-A, he was 1-1 with a 2.38 ERA in six games out of the bullpen.
Simon isn’t a top 30 prospect for the Blue Jays.
Blue Jays Have Been Searching for Bullpen Help
Toronto has added Dylan Cease and Cody Ponce to the rotation, but Toronto has been after bullpen help.
The Blue Jays had a quiet Winter Meetings, and insider Mitch Bannon of The Athletic expected the team to pursue bullpen help next.
“If the Jays keep plugging obvious holes, their next move may be signing a leverage reliever. Toronto is essentially looking to upgrade the role Seranthony Domínguez filled after the trade deadline last year,” Bannon wrote. “Even with Yimi García returning from injury and Louis Varland set to stay in the bullpen, Toronto seeks one late-inning weapon to pitch in big spots, potentially the ninth inning.
“The Jays have already watched many late-game options come off the board, with Edwin Díaz, Kyle Finnegan and Gregory Soto the latest late-inning relievers to sign. However, the bullpen market is pretty deep this winter. There are plenty of pitchers left who fit Toronto’s need: Brad Keller, Luke Weaver, Tyler Rogers and Pete Fairbanks are a few. It’s likely the Jays sign at least one pitcher from this tier.”
The Blue Jays hinted at potentially bringing in a reliever to compete with Jeff Hoffman for the starting job. But, with the top free agent relievers off the board, Toronto could look to add more middle-inning relievers, which Lee could be.
Toronto Adds Potential Bullpen Piece in Rule 5 Draft
The Blue Jays have been looking for bullpen help and got a potential one in the Rule 5 Draft.
Toronto selected Spencer Miles in the Rule 5 Draft from the San Francisco Giants. He’s expected to compete for a spot in the Blue Jays’ bullpen in spring training, according to assistant GM Mike Murov.
“If he’s able to post on a consistent basis, keep the command and keep the stuff, he’s a useful pitcher on any team,” Murov said about Miles.
Toronto also has Angel Bastardo, whom they selected in last year’s Rule 5 Draft, and must keep on the 26-man roster or send him back to the Boston Red Sox after he missed all of 2025.
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