Grading the Blue Jays' offseason moves

The Toronto Blue Jays have spent the past three months retooling their roster ahead of the 2025 MLB season in the hopes of bouncing back and becoming a contender.

With spring training here, let’s break out the red ink and grade the biggest moves the Blue Jays made this offseason.

Grading the Blue Jays most significant offseason moves

Jays trade for Andrés Giménez and Nick Sandlin

One of the first major moves that the Jays made this offseason came out of nowhere when they acquired Andrés Giménez and Nick Sandlin in a trade with the Cleveland Guardians in exchange for Spencer Horwitz and Nick Mitchell. While this deal may have been motivated by Toronto's failure to land a big name free agent in November, it looks better by the day.

In adding a a three-time Gold Glove winner in Giménez, the Jays now have one of the top defenders in all of baseball. Not only that, Giménez is just three years removed from his 2022 All-Star season when he hit .297 with an .837 OPS, along with 17 home runs, 69 RBI and 20 stolen bases. If he can rediscover that offensive prowess, the Jays could have a five-tool player on their hands going forward.

As for Sandlin, he will become a major part of the Jays’ revamped bullpen for 2025. The 28-year-old right-hander has been reliable since he made his MLB debut with the Guardians in 2021. Over the past four seasons, Sandlin has posted a stellar 19-8 record with a 3.27 ERA, 1.15 WHIP, along with a whopping 223 strikeouts in just 195 1/3 innings pitched.

In terms of who the Jays gave up, Horwitz was traded to the Pittsburgh Pirates, and could miss Opening Day after undergoing wrist surgery. He showed some offensive potential with the Jays last season, but we still don't know if that was a flash in the pan. And, as of now, Mitchell, projects to be a depth piece in Cleveland's outfield. The Jays got two key major league pieces for their organization in this trade, making it a surefire win.

Grade: A-

Jays sign Yimi García

Last season, the Jays dealt veteran reliever Yimi García to the Seattle Mariners at the trade deadline in exchange for promising outfield prospect Jonatan Clase and catcher Jacob Sharp. Luck wasn’t on the Mariners’ side in the trade as García only appeared in 10 games before sustaining an elbow injury that ended his season.

Now García's back with Toronto and the Blue Jays essentially fleeced the Mariners, as Toronto netted a prime prospect and some much-needed catching depth for a player who's back with the team.

Now the Jays will just need to hope that García continues to pitch well with the club. He's posted a solid 3.44 ERA, 1.08 WHIP, together with 179 strikeouts in 157 innings in his career with Toronto. This was a clever move.

Grade: A-

Jays sign Jeff Hoffman

The Jays made their first major splash by signing one of the top relievers on the market in Jeff Hoffman. The signing was a bit of a full circle moment, as Hoffman was part of the trade that brought Troy Tulowitzki to town. Hoffman may have struggled to establish himself earlier in his career, but he has since turned into one of the best relievers in the game.

In the past two years with the Phillies, Hoffman compiled a stellar 8-5 record with 11 saves, along with a tidy 2.28 ERA, and 0.94 WHIP to go along with 158 strikeouts in just 118 2/3 innings of work. He will help anchor the Jays’ bullpen and likely be their closer after Jordan Romano departed in free agency.

While this seems like an 'A' move, there's a catch. Hoffman reportedly had his physical flagged prior to his signing with Toronto, which means the success of the move will be dictated by his health going forward. With that reservation in his potential ability, it brings the grade slightly down to a B+.

Grade: B+

Jays sign Anthony Santander

After whiffing on some of the stars in free agency, the Blue Jays finally added a power bat to their lineup by reeling in former Baltimore Orioles slugger Anthony Santander. Santander is coming off a career year where he 44 home runs and drove in 102 runs in 155 games played with the Orioles.

The Jays have been missing an outfielder with that pop ever since Teoscar Hernández left town two years ago, but Santander should be able to pick up the slack.

Most pundits deemed the Jays’ offseason a disaster prior to the Santander signing, so he nearly single-handily helped Toronto salvage their winter. Add in the fact that he's open to playing whatever position helps the team win and this trade looks like a win overall.

Grade: A

Jays sign Max Scherzer 

The Jays capped off their offseason for now by solidifying their starting rotation with the addition of a former Cy Young winner in Max Scherzer. Although he's not the same pitcher he once was, signing him could end up being a franchise-altering move. He's an eight-time All-Star, a three-time Cy Young winner and has won two World Series.

If he can manage to post an ERA below 4.00 while share his breadth of knowledge with the Jays, his signing should be considered a success. But a lot will depend on whether or not his body and health will hold up over the course of the season.

Grade: B-

Overall grade

Early on, the offseason looks like an unmitigated disaster for the Blue Jays. But the additions of Hoffman, Santander and Scherzer in 2025 have given the fanbase a bit of hope after a disappointing 2024 season.

But that also doesn't change the fact that the Jays striking out on the big free agents for the second year in a row has left a sour taste in everyone's mouths.

Overall Grade: B+