5 reunions the Blue Jays absolutely cannot pursue during the 2024-25 offseason

Adam Cimber, RHP

With the Jays looking to revamp their bullpen after a disastrous 2024 campaign, perhaps they could look to a former elite member from the past for help in Adam Cimber. After all, Cimber was once a mainstay in their relief corps during the 2021 and 2022 seasons after coming over in a trade with the Miami Marlins.

During those two years, he posted a solid 12-8 record while maintaining an ERA below 3.00 and a WHIP below 1.12. Cimber also tied for the league lead in games played by a reliever with Cleveland’s Emmanuel Clase in 2022 with 77 appearances. That clearly showed that he was so reliable that he played in almost half of the games in the entire schedule of the Jays that season.

However, everything fell apart for Cimber in 2023 when he put up by far the worst numbers of his career. In 22 relief appearances, he compiled a dismal 7.40 ERA and 1.55 WHIP, giving up 17 earned runs, including six home runs, in just 20 2/3 innings of work.

A right shoulder impingement sidelined him for much of the second half of the season, preventing him from having a chance at redemption to salvage his 2023 campaign. As a result, the Jays let him walk into free agency upon the season’s end, and he signed on with the Los Angeles Angels.

Unfortunately for Cimber, it turned out that 2023 was no fluke as he continued his struggles into 2024 with his new club. Despite posting a 3-0 record and eight holds, his control problems led to a gaudy 7.03 ERA and 1.40 WHIP, while giving up 19 earned runs, 14 walks and 19 strikeouts in just 24 1/3 innings pitched over 28 appearances.

Cimber was eventually designated for assignment in July and finished his season with their Triple-A affiliate Salt Lake. From there, things got a lot worse, as he registered a 9.39 ERA and 2.02 WHIP in 11 relief appearances.

The Jays need to consider consistent and reliable reliever options to ensure that their bullpen will be improved heading into 2025. With Cimber’s ongoing inconsistency with his control and command, Toronto should not turn to him as a potential solution this offseason.