Julian Merryweather is a free agent after spending all of 2026 in the Twins' minor league system. The former Blue Jays right-hander elected free agency this week.

He never made it to Minnesota this season. Across 25 appearances at three levels, he posted a 4.05 ERA with 35 strikeouts.

That included stops with the FCL Twins, Single-A Fort Myers and Triple-A St. Paul.

Toronto fans remember the start of his career. He spent his first three big-league seasons with the Jays.

The results were mixed. He posted a 5.64 ERA over 47 games in Toronto.

What happened next? The Cubs came calling.

Julian Merryweather's career has been a long series of fresh starts

Chicago claimed him off waivers in January 2023, ending his Jays tenure.

Over six big-league seasons, he's appeared in 152 games with a 4.72 ERA and 177 strikeouts.

Now he's searching for another opportunity. A minor league deal with a spring training invite looks like the most likely path.

Toronto shouldn't bring him back. The bullpen core is set, and the Jays are already stocking up on younger arms with more upside.

His career is like a song you keep hearing on the radio but can't quite remember the chorus to. Familiar, just never a hit.

The Jays' bullpen priority is left-handed help behind Mason Fluharty. A veteran righty without a big-league appearance in 2026 doesn't address that.

Toronto has also been busy reshaping its pitching depth, releasing several arms while signing others like Nurberto German and Woo-jin Cho.

Merryweather will likely land somewhere on a low-risk deal. For the Jays, though, the next reliever they add needs to fill a clear role, not just a roster spot.