Photo credit: Nick Turchiaro-Imagn Images
The Toronto Blue Jays just made another stealthy addition to the minor league system, and it is exactly the kind of move winning organizations make.
While the baseball world is focused on superstars and major league trades, the Blue Jays front office continues to meticulously build pitching depth.
The transaction log officially shows that Toronto has signed free agent right-hander Jack Cushing to a minor league contract.
Cushing (Drafted 22nd Round, 2019 by Athletics) is a 29-year-old arm who has spent his entire professional career grinding through the Oakland system.
Let's be completely honest: his 2025 numbers in Triple-A Las Vegas are not going to win him a Cy Young award anytime soon.
He posted a bloated 6.67 ERA across 79.2 innings in the incredibly hitter-friendly Pacific Coast League.
Winning in Triple-A is an underrated skill
Despite the high ERA, there is one statistic from his 2025 campaign that absolutely jumps off the page.
Cushing somehow managed to compile an incredibly impressive 11-2 win-loss record for the Aviators last year.
That tells you he is a pitcher who knows how to battle, eat innings, and give his team a chance to win every time he takes the mound.
The Buffalo Bisons desperately need reliable arms who can take the ball every fifth day and save the rest of the bullpen.
With injuries to guys like Bowden Francis already testing our starting depth, having a durable veteran in Triple-A is a massive luxury.
There is virtually zero risk attached to this signing, but the potential reward of having a steady innings-eater in the minors is huge.
He is not expected to pitch at Rogers Centre this year, but his presence makes the entire minor league system stronger.
It's these unglamorous, under-the-radar moves that ultimately help a franchise survive the grueling marathon of a 162-game season.
Welcome to the organization, Jack Cushing; let's see what you can do in Buffalo.
Also read on Toronto Baseball Insider :
Blue Jays provide significant injury update on George Springer
Blue Jays provide significant injury update on George Springer