The Toronto Blue Jays won 94 games, topped the American League East and came within two outs of clinching the third World Series title in the 49-year history of the franchise, all with a bullpen that ranked a mediocre 16th out of MLB’s 30 teams with a 3.98 ERA. Blue Jays relievers saved just 42 games, tied for 12th.
“The Blue Jays marauded their way through the playoffs despite a bullpen they preferred not to touch with a thirty-nine-and-a-half-foot pole,” wrote Fangraphs analyst Ben Clemens, in a review of Toronto’s signing this week of submarine pitcher Tyler Rogers, a free agent who pitched the first 5½ seasons of his career with the San Francisco Giants before he was sent to the New York Mets at this year’s trade deadline and declared free agency after the season.
“The team has yet to address the holes in its bullpen, particularly the one that opened up when set-up man Seranthony Dominguez became a free agent,” wrote Jays Journal reporter Brandon Glick last week. “Blue Jays closer Jeff Hoffman, who was hit hard in his first season in Toronto, still generated elite strikeout (29.3 percent, 88th percentile) and chase rates (35.1 percent, 97th percentile).”
On Thursday, the Blue Jays made an under-the-radar free agent signing that could pay big dividends for the bullpen in 2026 — or could go nowhere. But apparently Blue Jays president and CEO Mark Shapiro felt that the acquisition was worth a try.
Fireballer Inked to Minor League Deal
According to reporter Ari Alexander of WHDH-TV in Boston, the Blue Jays have signed former Red Sox reliever Jorge Alcala — a 30-year-old fireballing right-hander whose four-seam fastball averaged 97.4 mph in 2025, but who was clocked as high as 102 mph early in his career.
The Jays inked Alcala to a minor league contract with an invitation to spring training, meaning an opportunity to break camp with the big league team, according to Alexander.
In his 16⅓ innings over 19 appearances with the Red Sox this season, Alcala’s four-seamer reached as high as 100.3 mph.
The Red Sox acquired the Dominican Republic native from the Minnesota Twins in June in a trade for 21-year-old, Single-A infield prospect Andy Lugo. While chief baseball officer Craig Breslow was clearly impressed with Alcala’s triple-digit velocity, his issues with command ended his Boston tenure early.
Alcala allowed 19 hits and eight walks in his short stint, for a bloated WHIP of 1.653.
Blue Jays Hope They Can Fix Alcala
Alcala has been a frustrating pitcher to work with since he was signed by the Houston Astros in 2014 as an international amateur free agent. Presumably, the Blue Jays believe they can harness the right-hander’s potential for dominance by straightening out his command issues.
Being picked up by the St. Louis Cardinals after the Red Sox designated him for assignment in August, Alcala walked seven batters in just 14⅓ innings while striking out 15 — but giving up four home runs. Between his three teams this season, Alcala gave up 13 home runs in a total of 55 innings with 61 strikeouts but an alarming 30 walks.
“The Jays have made a few moves to add to their bullpen this offseason,” wrote Darragh McDonald of MLB Trade Rumors on Thursday. “They signed Tyler Rogers, acquired Chase Lee from the Tigers and selected Spencer Miles from the Giants in the Rule 5 draft. Alcala gives them a bit of extra depth without taking up a roster spot.”
