Toronto Blue Jays closing in on one last free agent before the start of the season
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Victor William
Feb 17, 2026 (3:47 PM)
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Photo credit: Ryan Sun-Imagn Images
Michael Kopech hits the open market, and snagging his 100-mph heat on a minor-league deal could be the ultimate bullpen steal for Toronto.
Seeing a former elite prospect struggle with injuries is always a tough pill to swallow.
The right-hander had a brutal run of luck throughout the 2025 season.
He managed to pitch only 11 innings last year while walking 13 batters.
Those sudden command issues flared up fast, eventually forcing him onto the injured list.
Nobody likes seeing an electric arm sidelined, especially when the potential is so obvious.
But we cannot let that tiny sample size write the entire story.
Kopech (Age 29, Drafted Round 1, 2014 by Boston Red Sox) still possesses undeniable, swing-and-miss stuff.
Just look back at what he accomplished when fully healthy just one year prior.
We are talking about a guy who posted a microscopic 1.13 ERA in 24 outings for the Dodgers.
He dominated hitters during that stretch, locking down a 0.79 WHIP before the injuries returned.
Pete Walker can fix his command issues
Blue Jays fans are completely starved for some terrifying velocity coming out of the bullpen right now.
Watching opposing hitters foul off soft contact late in games gets old quickly.
This pitcher fits the exact profile of a high-reward reclamation project.
He still slings a four-seam fastball that touches triple digits without breaking a sweat.
Combine that raw heat with his sharp cutter, and you have a lethal combination.
Pitchers with that kind of natural arm talent do not grow on trees.
If anyone can help him locate the strike zone consistently, it is the pitching coaches in Toronto.
A minor-league contract carries absolutely zero financial risk for the front office.
They can bring him into camp to see if he can rediscover his release point.
Creating internal competition during spring training is exactly how championship rosters are built.
There is no guarantee that he completely fixes the walk rate overnight.
Sometimes a change of scenery and a new voice in the dugout is the perfect remedy.
If he shakes off the rust in Florida, the relief corps gets a massive upgrade.
Give him a locker in Dunedin and let the revival begin.
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