Tim Mayza avoid reunion with the Toronto Blue Jays as he signs a new deal
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Victor William
Jan 24, 2026 (1:58 PM)
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Photo credit: Rafael Suanes-Imagn Images
Tim Mayza is heading back to the Philadelphia Phillies on a minor league deal that proves the Toronto Blue Jays are officially moving on from their former high-leverage lefty.
The move includes a big league camp invite where he will battle for a roster spot this spring.
It is a low-risk move that usually turns into a massive bargain for smart front offices.
Mayza is 34 years old now and still leans on the heavy sinker that made him a Toronto staple.
The Blue Jays originally drafted him in the 12th round of the 2013 draft out of Millersville.
You can see the frustration of the hitter as Mayza's sinker falls off the table for a clutch strikeout.
Injuries were the primary villain during his 2025 season within the Phillies organization.
A nasty left shoulder lat strain sidelined him for the majority of the summer months.
Tim Mayza and the Philadelphia Phillies reunite
Jays fans are already dreading the sight of him coming out of the bullpen in a tight October game.
The bullpen is always a war of attrition where depth determines who survives the August heat.
He finished last year with a 3.78 ERA and 15 strikeouts in 16.2 innings of work.
His 1.32 WHIP was slightly elevated but the underlying stuff looked sharp after he returned.
Contenders are desperate for matchup lefties who can get big outs against elite power hitters.
We saw how dominant he could be during his historic 2023 season in the North.
He posted a 1.52 ERA that year and gave up zero runs in nearly 90 percent of his outings.
The lefty market is notoriously thin every single winter which increases his value significantly.
Toronto letting him sign elsewhere without a fight suggests a total shift in bullpen philosophy.
Ross Atkins is opting for younger arms with minor league options instead of proven veteran presence with a lot of minor league signings including a recently announced deal with Connor Seabold.
Seeing Mayza thrive in Philadelphia will hurt when the Blue Jays bullpen inevitably hits a slump.
If his shoulder holds up he becomes a lock for a middle-relief role in Philly.
This is exactly the kind of move that wins divisions while nobody is paying attention.
Toronto needs to find a way to replace those reliable left-handed innings quickly.
The Phillies are clearly comfortable with his medical reports following the shoulder issues.
It is a high-upside play for a team that is already built to win now.
Also read on Toronto Baseball Insider :
2-for-1 trade offer announced sending Jose Berrios to the Atlanta Braves
2-for-1 trade offer announced sending Jose Berrios to the Atlanta Braves
| POLL | ||
JANVIER 24|350 ANSWERS Tim Mayza avoid reunion with the Toronto Blue Jays as he signs a new deal Can Tim Mayza return to being an everyday reliever in the MLB? | ||
| Yes | 149 | 42.6 % |
| No | 201 | 57.4 % |
| List of polls | ||