Toronto Blue Jays acquire Boston Red Sox left handed pitcher

Toronto made it official, signing Cellucci to a minor league contract. The same transaction log shows he was immediately assigned to the New Hampshire Fisher Cats.

Cellucci is 27, a left-handed pitcher with a big frame at 6-foot-4 and 211 pounds. He was originally drafted by the Boston Red Sox in the 12th round out of Tulane.

The timing matters because he hit the open market after Boston released him last summer.

MLB's transaction record lists that release with Worcester, which is usually the point where careers either pivot or fade.

For the Blue Jays, this is the kind of move that rarely gets a press conference but can save a month. One extra lefty who can take innings in Double-A and Triple-A keeps everyone else from being rushed.

It also fits Toronto's current habit of stacking arms who have already survived pro ball. The Jays have been busy with minor league adds this month, and Cellucci slides into that churn as another option.

The New Hampshire assignment is a small clue about how Toronto sees him right now. They are not treating him like a project for the complex, they are giving him a real affiliate with real hitters.

Cellucci's best selling point is simply being a grown-up lefty arm who can take the ball. If he holds his stuff and throws enough strikes, you can picture him moving up quickly when injuries and workload limits hit.

Toronto also gets a chance to steal a little value from a division rival's system.

Development is not only about teenagers, sometimes it is about finding one tweak that makes a veteran minor leaguer usable.

This signing does not block a top prospect, it supports them.

When the upper-minors bullpen has stable innings, the organization can be more patient with the kids who actually matter long term.

My opinion is this is smart roster plumbing, not a headline, but it is the kind of move good teams make constantly.