New York Yankees latest signing proves the Toronto Blue Jays wasted $2.45 million
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Victor William
Jan 5, 2026 (11:49 PM)
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Photo credit: Sportsnet
Toronto Blue Jays swallow the Adam Kloffenstein blow as New York Yankees cash in on a $2.45 million draft bet.
New York signed Kloffenstein to a minor-league deal on Dec. 19, and it only really popped publicly on Sunday through the MiLB transaction log.
The New York Yankees have signed Adam Kloffenstein to a minor league contract. The pitcher has 609 strikeouts in 587.2 innings pitched throughout his minor league career.
Toronto drafted the 6-foot-5 righty 88th overall in 2018, then paid him $2.45 million, nearly four times his slot.
MLB Pipeline noted Toronto signed Jordan Groshans under slot, then used the savings to land Kloffenstein well above slot.
In 2019 at Low-A Vancouver, he ran a 2.24 ERA with 64 strikeouts in 64 1/3 innings.
The command never fully arrived, and in 2021 at High-A Vancouver he slipped to a 6.22 ERA over 101 1/3 innings.
The command never fully arrived, and in 2021 at High-A Vancouver he slipped to a 6.22 ERA over 101 1/3 innings.
Toronto dealt him in the Jordan Hicks trade, re-signed him in 2025, and watched him hit free agency on Nov. 6.
Adam Kloffenstein jump stings Toronto Blue Jays
I know it is just depth, but seeing the New York Yankees scoop up a former Toronto lottery ticket still makes my eye twitch.
Kloffenstein's entire MLB résumé is one perfect inning for the Cardinals on June 20, 2024, against the Giants.
Last season across the Jays' system, he went 2-9 with a 5.66 ERA and 103 strikeouts in 90 2/3 innings.
The Yankees are betting their pitch lab can sharpen his command and turn the sinker into ground balls, even if it is just Triple-A depth.
For Toronto, the sting is not payroll, it is the reminder that an over-slot $2.45 million bet can still walk away for nothing. If he clicks in pinstripes, Toronto fans will howl.
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| POLL | ||
JANVIER 5|360 ANSWERS New York Yankees latest signing proves the Toronto Blue Jays wasted $2.45 million Do the Toronto Blue Jays regret the $2.45 million Adam Kloffenstein bonus now that he's with the New York Yankees? | ||
| Yes regret | 173 | 48.1 % |
| No regret | 135 | 37.5 % |
| Too early | 43 | 11.9 % |
| Yankees win | 9 | 2.5 % |
| List of polls | ||