Grading the Blue Jays' performance at the 2024 Winter Meetings

The MLB Winter Meetings were full of transactions across the league, including some big names signing and being traded. The Toronto Blue Jays did get involved in the action, acquiring a new second baseman and three new relievers. In the process, they also lost a productive bat and a young prospect.

Through all of the moves they made at the annual event in Dallas, the Blue Jays roster looks a bit different, which is not necessarily a negative statement. They are far from finished this offseason, but let's recap and grade how Toronto performed at the 2025 Winter Meetings.

How did the Blue Jays' front office perform at the Winter Meetings?

Their first move was signing Yimi Garcia to a two-year deal worth $15 million. For a solid setup man at that price, that's a pretty good get for the Blue Jays. He did have some elbow issues in 2024, but reports indicate that he'll be good to go for spring training.

The veteran right-hander posted an earned run average of 3.46 across 39 innings and he struck out 49 batters. Opposing hitters batted just .165 against him and he walked opponents at a 7.3% clip to generate an impressive WHIP of 0.90. This is a pretty good signing for the Blue Jays and will be a reliable arm if he can remain healthy.

Their next move was acquiring Andres Gimenez and Nick Sandlin from the Guardians at the expense of Spencer Horwitz and Nick Mitchell. Now this move is questionable as Horwitz had a solid year at the plate and the Blue Jays need offense badly. Gimenez is quite the opposite, being a gold glove infielder with a not great bat.

Losing Horwitz, a left-handed stick that belted 12 home runs with a wRC+ of 127 and an OPS of .790, hurts them, but if they extend Vladimir Guerrero Jr., then it's really no big deal. Gimenez on the other hand, had an OPS of .638 with a wRC+ of 83 and he struck out at a low 15.3% clip. If they can get the 2022 form of him, who had an OPS of .837 with a wRC+ of 141 and belted 17 home runs, then it would be a major success of a trade.

The other part of the trade was acquiring Sandlin and losing Mitchell. Sandlin will be a decent reliever for the Blue Jays as he posted a 3.75 ERA with a WHIP of 1.27 and 68 strikeouts across 57.2 innings. Mitchell is just a prospect in Single-A who was drafted in 2024 and put up a 129 wRC+ with an OPS of .816 and belted four home runs.

Lastly was the Rule 5 selection of Angel Bastardo, who has yet to pitch above Double-A. He's going to be on the injured list for the entirety of the 2025 campaign, but could be a contributor in the Blue Jays' bullpen come 2026. In Double-A this past season, Bastardo posted an ERA of 5.36 with a WHIP of 1.32 and struck out 53 batters across 45.1 innings.

A fair grade for this years' Winter Meetings for the Blue Jays is a B-

Toronto got this grade as they did strengthen their bullpen and got a young, established second baseman that has offensive potential, but he is well known for his glove. Losing Horwitz did hurt, but overall, it was not bad. The Blue Jays cannot be content with this though and they must continue to upgrade their team.