Toronto Blue Jays 2016 ALCS Roster: Where are they now?

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Apr 6, 2017; St. Petersburg, FL, USA; Toronto Blue Jays relief pitcher Jason Grilli (37) and Toronto Blue Jays catcher Russell Martin (55) congratulate each other after they beat the Tampa Bay Rays at Tropicana Field. Toronto Blue Jays defeated the Tampa Bay Rays 5-2. Mandatory Credit: Kim Klement-USA TODAY Sports /

Relief Pitchers

Joe Biagini

2016 Stats: 60 appearances; 3.06 ERA; 1.300 WHIP; 62 strikeouts

2016 ALCS Playoff Stats: 3 appearances; 0.00 ERA; 0.545 WHIP; 3 strikeouts

2020 Stats: 4 appearances; 20.77 ERA: 3.231 WHIP; 4 strikeouts

Acquired by the Blue Jays during the Rule 5 Draft in the 2015/2016 off-season, Joe Biagini was a shining star in the 2016 Blue Jays bullpen. He would be second on the team in appearances (60) and had one of the best ERA on the team amongst relief pitchers. In three appearances during the 2016 ALCS, Biagini would only allow one hit and would give up zero runs while giving up one walk with three strikeouts.

Biagini would be traded alongside Aaron Sanchez to the Houston Astros and would also contribute to the combined no-hitter just days after being acquired. The 2020 season was not kind to Biagini, as he would give up ten earned runs in just 4.1 innings of work. Biagini would find himself shuttling between the alternate training site and the MLB roster all season before being designated for assignment at the end of the year.

This off-season, Biagini has signed a minor league deal with the Chicago Cubs for the 2021 season.

Interesting to think what might have been If Brett Cecil didn’t tear his calf in a rundown early in '15 playoffs. Blue Jays blew a late lead in game 2 of ALCS & bullpen was beat up further in game 4. Eric Hosmer, a lefty, clinched the series with a HR in eighth inning of game 6.
— Arden Zwelling (@ArdenZwelling) March 25, 2020

Brett Cecil

2016 Stats: 54 appearances; 3.93 ERA; 1.282 WHIP; 45 strikeouts

2016 ALCS Playoff Stats: 3 appearances; 0.00 ERA; 0.300 WHIP; 4 strikeouts

2020 Stats: N/A

One of the key pitchers on the Blue Jays roster since 2009, Brett Cecil spent time in the rotation and in the bullpen before becoming a full-time reliever in 2013 (the same year he represented the Blue Jays at the All-Star Game). One of the top left-handed arms in the Blue Jays bullpen at the time, Cecil would make three appearances in the 2016 ALCS, going 3.1 innings allowing zero runs, one walk, and four strikeouts.

Cecil would leave the Jays after the 2016 season and sign with the St. Louis Cardinals on a four-year, $30.5 million deal. He would spend the entire 2019 season on the injured list and would be released before the start of the 2020 season after experimenting with a new sidearm delivery. The left-hander is currently a free agent.

Jason Grilli

2016 Stats (Blue Jay’s stats only): 46 appearances; 3.64 ERA; 1.119 WHIP; 58 strikeouts

2016 ALCS Playoff Stats: 2 appearances; 0.00 ERA; 0.600 WHIP; 1 strikeouts

2020 Stats: N/A

Another veteran acquisition to the Blue Jays bullpen in late May of 2016, Jason Grilli became a fan favourite due to his fiery personality and his leadership in the locker room. He would pitch well over the course of the season and continue pitching well throughout the entire postseason. In the ALCS, he would throw 1.2 innings over two appearances giving up only one hit with zero walks and one strikeout.

Grilli would be designated for assignment halfway through the 2017 season and would be traded to the Texas Rangers, where he would finish the season. While he has never officially retired, the veteran pitcher now resides in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania and has started to give back to the community by building and maintaining local baseball fields within the area.