Blue Jays: Non-tendered players the club should consider this offseason

Alex Reyes - RHP

If the Blue Jays are still interested in looking for a hard-throwing relief pitcher, then former St. Louis Cardinal Alex Reyes is one player that should draw some interest.

Projected to earn $2.85 million in arbitration this offseason, Reyes was cut loose after not pitching at all in 2022 due to shoulder surgery early into the campaign. The New Jersey product was on track to be a starter at the big league level earlier in his career but injuries derailed those plans, with the right-hander undergoing Tommy John surgery and missing the entire 2017 season while experiencing other strains and injuries over the last six years.

Overall, Reyes has authored a collective 145.0 innings at the MLB level, sporting a 2.86 ERA with an 11.0 K/9 and 29 saves. His best season came back in 2021, as he was healthy and appeared in 69 contests and allowed just 26 earned runs on the year to the tune of an 11.8 K/9 while also making the All-Star squad.

For Reyes, the biggest concern is with his health, as he missed all last season and doesn't have the best track record. The upside however is a high 90s fastball with swing-and-miss potential on an arm that could come on the cheaper side given his lack of innings and injury past. It might take more than a Minor League deal to get a contract done but the risk is low on Reyes that it might be worth the opportunity.

The downside would be that the risky move comes with a roster spot, meaning he occupies one of the remaining two spots on the 40-man or somebody has to go unless a MiLB deal with a Spring Training invite is done instead.

The Blue Jays could also be out of the relief market given their recent acquisition of Erik Swanson as well as the fact that a similar type of player exists in the Jays system in Nate Pearson, who will likely be moved to the bullpen this year after missing so much of last season.

Adam Engel - Outfield

If the Blue Jays are looking for a low-risk speed bench outfield option, Adam Engel might be a player to keep an eye on this offseason.

A member of the Chicago White Sox since being drafted in 2013, Engel was projected to earn $2.3 million in arbitration this offseason but was instead non-tendered. For his career, Engel has 523 games under his belt and owns a .225/.280/.350 slash line with 106 extra-base hits, 123 RBI, 47 stolen bases, and a .631 OPS. The Ohio product is mainly used in centre field but also has some experience in right, owning a collective 19 bDRS in centre through six seasons.

Overall, Engel would likely slot in as the club's bench outfielder but has more experience than Merrifield and Biggio at the position. Sporting an 82nd percentile Outs Above Average and a 92nd percentile sprint speed last year, Engel projects to be an upgraded Bradley Zimmer type who hits from the right side, the one drawback when compared to another non-tendered outfielder in Franchy Cordero.

Signing Engel is a depth move in the event that the Jays' front office wants to use Merrifield and Biggio elsewhere on the diamond and they want someone with MLB experience rather than resort to other internal options. It's not a flashy move when compared to Bellinger or Nimmo but depth in the outfield doesn't seem like a bad option after the Blue Jays just lost/moved four outfielders this offseason.