4 overlooked Blue Jays moves that are already paying huge dividends this year

While Toronto Blue Jays made a variety of under-the-radar moves during the offseason to improve their roster for 2025, most of of the attention was focused on the big transactions.

Whether it was the signings of Anthony Santander and Jeff Hoffman or the surprising trade for Andrés Giménez and Nick Sandlin, it seemed like most of the conversation around the team's chances of winning was focused on those moves.

But, as a matter of fact, it has been those under-the-radar moves that have helped contribute to the Jays' success this year. Here's a look at four surprising moves made by the Jays that have been overlooked that are already paying huge dividends already.

Note: all stat's are as of Saturday's games.

4 overlooked Blue Jays moves that are already paying huge dividends this year

Promoting Mason Fluharty from the minors

While the Jays bullpen has been been better this year, their depth was tested right away due injury and underperformance.

That led to there being a revolving door of players coming in and out at the back of the bullpen as manager John Schneider tied to find the right mix of players.

While most of the players they've gone to have faltered, there's been one bright success story in the form of Mason Fluharty.

Fluharty has been one of the top arms in the bullpen since he was promoted at the end of March. He has a 1.76 ERA in 15 appearances this year (which is the best mark in the Jays' 'pen) to go along with a 0.587 WHIP and 15 strikeouts.

The 23-year-old left-hander impressed last season at Buffalo with a 5-4 record and 3.63 ERA in 56 games, and he's been able to carry that momentum into his frist season with the Jays.

It started in spring training when he amassed a stellar 1.29 ERA and 11 strikeouts in seven innings of work. And even though that wasn't enough for him to make the Opening Day roster, he was one of the first pitchers to be selected from Triple-A.

He's been even more valuable to the bullpen as of late since veterans Jeff Hoffman and Yimi Garcíahave struggled as of late. Fluharty's shown that the Blue Jays can indeed manifest homegrown pitching talent.

Acquiring Brendon Little from the Chicago Cubs prior to the 2024 season

The Blue Jays acquired Little from the Cubs in November 2023 in a minor deal that's quickly turning into a huge steal for Toronto. At the time of the trade, he had only appeared in one MLB game and allowed three runs in 2/3 of an inning.

Now, the 28-year-old left-hander seems to have carved out a key role in Toronto's bullpen. In 69 total appearances with the Jays, over the last two seasons, Little has a 2-3 record with a tidy 3.25 ERA with 64 strikeouts in 63 2/3 innings pitched.

He's also been one of Toronto's best relievers this season. He's gone 1-0 with 2.00 ERA, 22 WHIP, e with 28 punchouts in just 18 innings.

Little has become the top lefty option out of the bullpen for the Jays, and has become one of the best options in high-leverage. The Blue Jays only had to give up cash considerations to get him, which has turned this move into the baseball version of winning the lottery.

Moving George Springer out of the leadoff spot

Sometimes a positive move doesn't need to be a transaction.

Springer entered the season looking to bounce-back after a tough showing in 2024, and said that he'd be open to doing whatever the team needed to help win.

With that thinking in mind, manager John Schenider elected to move 35-year-old outfielder out of the leadoff.

That move has been a win so far this year, as Springer's in the midst of a resurgent year. He's compiled a solid .294 average in 35 games with a .900 OPS, eight doubles, one triple, four home runs, 15 RBI and five stolen bases.

After starting the year in the bottom of the lineup, he's moved up to the cleanup spot in the lineup, which shows the faith that Schneider has in him.

After two down seasons in a row, Springer's been an impact player for the Jays this season.

Bringing Tyler Heineman back as the backup catcher

When the Jays claimed Heineman off waivers from the Red Sox at the end of the 2024 season, it seemed like he was being brought in just to fill out the catching depth while the Blue Jays finished their march toward a disappointing season.

But then the Jays kept him on the 40-man roster throughout the offseason, which made it seem like they were content with him being the main backup option heading into 2025.

That didn't inspire a ton of optimism with the Blue Jays fanbase, considering Heineman entered this season hitting just .212 in 111 games.

But Heineman has been proving the doubters wrong since the season started.

Not only has he been his usual self behind the plate, but he's also opened some eyes by having some success at the plate.

He's amassed a .389 average with one home run and six RBI in 14 games, which is production that every team would take from its backup catcher.

He's also committed just one error in 111 total chances behind the plate while throwing out 50% of would-be base stealers.

The Blue Jays' signing of Heineman looked like a marginal move at the time but it continutes to look better and better by the day. This is Heineman's third tenure with the Blue Jays, so this is a clear example of the third time being the charm for the veteran catcher.