The Toronto Blue Jays are closing in on two solid pitchers according to reports
PUBLICATION
Ryan Hall
February 4, 2025 (9:53)
Photo credit: USA Today
The rumors continue to swirl around the Toronto Blue Jays organization as fans continue to wait to hear if the team has landed new free agents as two new names have surfaced which include Craig Kimbrel and Kenley Jansen for bullpen help.
Craig Kimbrel and Kenley Jansen have 887 saves between them. Is there a role for them in the Blue Jays bullpen?
The Blue Jays went ahead and signed
Jeff Hoffman feeling that he would help their bullpen but it's clear the team seems to be interested in other players as they want to continue to bolster their lineup and make a statement this year in the American League East.
Possible additions that would make sense for the Blue Jays
For Kimbrel who is a nine time All-Star led the Major League Baseball in saves from 2011 to 2014 and also helped the Red Sox win the World Series in 2018 many would peg him as a possible closer.
Brandon Hyde on Craig Kimbrel: «He's been magnificent for us. He just kind of had that one 10-day funk and he's come out of it. We gave him a little bit of a reset there with 3 appearances in different spots and he's been really good ever since.»
Kimbrel's recorded a pedestrian 3.90 ERA over the past six seasons, and is coming off two subpar seasons.
While Kimbrel was solid for the Phillies in the regular season in 2023 (3.26 ERA, 23 saves), he imploded in the NLCS and gave up walk-off single in Game 3 and a go-head home run in the eighth inning of Game 4.
He became the first Phillies pitcher to lose back-to-back postseason appearances since Mitch Williams. - Henry Palattella Jays Journal
With Hoffman in place, it's likely the Blue Jays would want to put Kimbrel into the bullpen rather than a closing position.
As for Jansen, his career is coming to an end but still wants to be in the show and feels that he can still be a closer for a Major League Baseball team.
Kenley Jansen's Cutter could be absolutely Unfair. included an overlay with his Two Seamer from the same at bat.
Jansen has pitched better as of late (he has a 3.44 ERA over the past two seasons and was an All-Star in 2023), which could also lead to him ending up outside of Toronto's price range.
While they have some financial flexibility thanks to the deferrals in Anthony Santander's contract, they might choose to spend that money on Pete Alonso or Vladimir Guerrero Jr. - Henry Palattella Jays Journal
Blue Jays continue to work phones for help prior to Spring Training
Blue Jays general manager Ross Atkins continues to work his way through his offseason as he has made some gains after a disastrous start and appears to be on the horizon of landing a few more before spring training begins.
This season will be a pivotal one for the Atkins-Shapiro administration as this will be their 10th season at the helm and the fan base is starving for prolonged playoff success.
Previously on Blue Jays Insider
POLL |
4 FEVRIER | 3658 ANSWERS The Toronto Blue Jays are closing in on two solid pitchers according to reports Who should the Toronto Blue Jays sign to bolster their bullpen |
Craig Kimbrel | 522 | 14.3 % |
Kenley Jansen | 774 | 21.2 % |
Neither of them | 1430 | 39.1 % |
Both of them | 932 | 25.5 % |
List of polls |
|
1 hour ago | By Bobby Ohr New hire Kevin Kiermaier seems to have big plans for the Toronto Blue Jays |
|
2 hours ago | By Bobby Ohr Surprising update announced regarding Toronto Blue Jays catcher Alejandro Kirk |
|
8 hours ago | By Bobby Ohr Looks like Toronto Blue Jays shortstop Bo Bichette's time in Toronto is coming to an end |
|
9 hours ago | By Bobby Ohr Toronto Blue Jays manager John Schneider on Kevin Gausman's weight |
|
9 hours ago | By Bobby Ohr Bowden Francis' fate in the Toronto Blue Jays starting rotation confirmed |
|
9 hours ago | By Bobby Ohr Former Toronto Blue Jays pitcher signs with the Arizona Diamondbacks |
|
10 hours ago | By Ryan Hall Bad news announced for Toronto Blue Jays George Springer |
|
19 hours ago | By Ryan Hall The MLB makes announcement regarding Toronto Blue Jays superstar Vladimir Guerrero Jr |