Just when you thought the Dodgers did not need to add any other players, they swiped the best available player at his position at an elevated value. Great stuff. The Blue Jays were involved with Tanner Scott until the end, as they could still use another left-hander in the bullpen, but they once again missed out to LA on Sunday.
This marks three players from this offseason that Toronto had serious interest in, but who signed with Los Angeles instead. Aside from Scott, Roki Sasaki and Teoscar Hernández were the others.
Now, the hole is still there for the Blue Jays to sign a left-handed reliever, and there are just a few remaining that would make a significant impact to the team. AJ Minter made a lot of sense, but he signed a two-year deal with the Mets prior to the weekend. Now, Toronto should turn their attention to another veteran southpaw who has been great when healthy and was one of the solid pieces to the Orioles bullpen in 2024.
Blue Jays should turn attention to Danny Coulombe after missing out on Tanner Scott.
Although he dealt with some elbow issues in 2024, he got surgery to fix the issue and returned near the end of the season, making an impact during the playoffs. Brendon Little is expected to make a big impact in Toronto's bullpen, but adding a veteran like Coulombe would also greatly boost the Blue Jays bullpen and thicken out their depth.
Last season with Baltimore, Coulombe posted an earned run average of 2.12 with a FIP of 2.83 across 29.2 innings and struck out 32 batters. Opponents hit just .147 against him and he walked hitters at a 4.7% clip to generate a WHIP of 0.67. These numbers are incredibly good and would really help Toronto late in games against left-handed batters.
His Statcast numbers are pretty impressive as well, as his pitching run value is at 14; his fastball run value finished at +8, with his breaking stuff valued at a +5. Coulombe brings five pitches to the mix as well, and all of them seem to fool batters. He misses barrels a lot, as his opposing barrel rate is at just 5.7%.
Overall, this addition would greatly help the Blue Jays in 2025. He is likely a guy that will sign on just a one-year contract, given his age, but nonetheless, he's also a guy that could help Toronto compete this season.