The New York Yankees have some work to do. They need to add pitching, both in their rotation and on the mound, in addition to locking up Cody Bellinger. If they can’t secure their star outfielder, they will need to find a suitable replacement.
The organization recently parted ways with several players. One non-tendered player, Mark Leiter Jr., has been linked to a new team. In fact, it’s one that he is very familiar with.
Mark Leiter Jr. is Linked to the Toronto Blue Jays
On November 24th, one columnist put together a list of the best non-tendered players who could help the Toronto Blue Jays. Surprisingly, Leiter Jr’s name came up.
Nick Ashbourne believes his ability to make batters swing for the fences but come up empty-handed is the prime talent the Blue Jays should add to their bullpen.
“He’s become one of the most consistent bat-missers in the game,” Ashbourne wrote for Sportsnet on November 24th. “Since the beginning of 2023, his 11.44 K/9 ranks 22nd among the 195 relievers who’ve pitched at least 100 innings over the last three years. His ERA in that span (4.22) is less impressive, but he might be getting a little bit unlucky. His xERA has been below four in each of the last two seasons.”
“In 2025, his hard-hit rate allowed and average exit velocity were each in the 90th percentile or better.”
Ashbourne goes into further detail with Leiter’s pitch arsenal. He gives details for why these pitches make him an attractive option for Toronto.
“Leiter features a nasty splitter that has generated 102 strikeouts in the last two seasons,” Ashbourne revealed. “And a developing curveball that’s earned a whiff rate above 50 per cent in each of those years. He also experienced a significant velocity bump on his sinker in 2025, going from a well below-average 91.5 m.p.h. up to 93.7 m.p.h.”
Blue Jays and Mark Leiter Jr. Have History
A few years before Leiter joined the Yankees, he played for one of their most bitter rivals. In 2018, the bullpen arm played eight games for the Blue Jays.
In those eight games, he had nine strikeouts in 6 2/3 innings. Unfortunately, that was the only positive thing about his time there. Batters rattled off 13 hits, 11 runs, and two home runs off his pitches, giving him a 13.50 ERA and a 2.55 WHIP.
After departing the Blue Jays, he made a stop with the Chicago Cubs before coming to New York.
During the 2025 season, he posted a 6-7 record while striking out 54 batters in 48 1/3 innings. He finished the season with a 1.53 WHIP and a 4.84 ERA, to go along with two saves and 14 holds.
The Blue Jays took a flyer on him in September of 2018. A few short months later, Leiter underwent Tommy John surgery in March of 2019, ending his season. He would later opt for free agency rather than stay with the club.
Admittedly, the Blue Jays are in a much different position today than they were in March 2019. An organization that came one win away from a World Series is a great place to earn a second chance.
Things didn’t work out as well as they could have with the Yankees. So, Leiter is within his rights to join a new team. Whether it ends up actually being Toronto or not remains to be seen.
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