Blue Jays: Which members of the 2022 roster have departed and where did they go?

Ross Stripling (San Francisco Giants)

Ross Stripling became a fan favorite during his third season with the club as many would say he saved the Blue Jays season. Stripling would start the season in the bullpen, but move into the starting rotation when opportunity arose and he capitalized. The veteran right-handed pitcher posted a 9-4 record with a 2.92 ERA as a starter that included a 0.981 WHIP over 24 games.

Many fans were hoping to see Stripling return to the team, but for unknown reasons it did not come to fruition. He would sign on with the San Francisco Giants on a two-year deal worth $25M, which seems like a steal.

Ryan Borucki (Chicago Cubs)

The former 15th-round pick by the Blue Jays came up through the system and had a promising start to his career in 2018 when he made 17 starts and had a 3.87 ERA over 97.2 innings pitched. Injuries would eventually lead him to the bullpen. After struggling to start the season with a 9.95 ERA he was traded to the Seattle Mariners for minor leaguer Tyler Keenan. Borucki would become a free agent at the end of the season and has signed with the Chicago Cubs on a minor league contract.

David Phelps (Free Agent)

David Phelps signed with the Blue Jays in 2022, which was his third one-year contract with the club after one-year contracts in 2019 and 2021. Phelps made 65 appearances posting a 2.83 ERA and averaging more than a strike out per inning.

Phelps is currently still a free agent and will be turning 37 this upcoming October. If he is still interested in playing and I were the Blue Jays, I would offer him an invite to camp.

Zack Collins (Free Agent)

The Blue Jays acquired Zack Collins at the start of the 2022 season in exchange for Reese McGuire. The main purpose fo the deal was that McGuire had no more minor league options, while Collins could be sent down without risk of losing him. Collins would suit up for 26 games for the club posting a slash line of .194/.266/.417, however would be DFA'd in September and claimed by the Pittsburgh Pirates. He would get into a handful of games with the Pirates, but would elect free agency this past November. As of right now, Collins has yet to sign with any club.

Raimel Tapia (Free Agent)

The player known for losing his helmet every time he rounded the bases, Raimel Tapia was part of a Spring Training trade with the Colorado Rockies for Randal Grichuk. Originally, it was predicted that Tapia would be the fourth outfielder, but due to injuries he got into 128 games. Tapia showed some surprising power throughout the year with 30 extra base hits, however struggled to get on base as he posted a .292 OBP and struck out five times more than he walked (81:16). The club did not offer him a contract at the end of the season. Tapia is currently a free agent.

Bradley Zimmer (Los Angeles Dodgers)

Everybody's favorite outfielder, Bradley Zimmer managed to be on the Blue Jays roster almost the entire season. In August, the Philadelphia Phillies would claim Zimmer off waivers, but less than two weeks later, the Blue Jays would reclaim him. Throughout the season, he got into 100 games with the club, almost exclusively as a late inning defensive replacement or pinch runner. In total, Zimmer had 101 plate appearances and had nine hits, with six of them being for extra bases. Zimmer signed on this offseason with the Los Angeles Dodgers on a minor league contract.

Sergio Romo (Free Agent)

It felt like a lot more than six games and 3.2 innings pitched, but that was how long Sergio Romo was with the club in mid-season last year. After being released from the team, Romo signed on with the Acereros del Norte in Mexico where he pitched just two shutout innings. There are no rumours, but I would expect to hear something in regards to his retirement over the next few months.

Jeremy Beasley (Hanshin Tigers - Japan)

Jeremy Beasley appeared to be one of those Quad-A players; as he was very good at Triple-A, but not quite good enough to stick around in the majors. Beasley made nine appearances for the Blue Jays in 2022 and had some respectful numbers as he struck out 19 over 15 innings, but also surrendered four home runs. He would eventually be sold the to Pittsburgh Pirates in August and released by the organization at the end of the season. Beasley has since signed on with the Hanshin Tigers of the Nippon Professional Baseball League in Japan.

Jackie Bradley Jr (Free Agent)

After the Boston Red Sox released former Gold Glove outfielder Jackie Bradley Jr. in early August, the Blue Jays swooped in and signed him for the remainder of the season. Bradley was used as an upgrade on Zimmer, but he still struggled and had minimal playing time. In 80 plate appearances, Bradley went 13-for-73 (.178) and was granted free agency at the end of the season. Bradley remains a free agent.

Tyler Heineman (Pittsburgh Pirates)

The Blue Jays signed Tyler Heineman during Spring Training and he got into 10 games going 4-for-15 (.267) before being claimed off waivers by the Pittsburgh Pirates in May. Heineman re-signed with the Pirates on a minor league deal that includes an invitation to Spring Training.

Gosuke Katoh (Free Agent)

The former first round pick of the New York Yankees, Gosuke Katoh spent almost nine years going thorugh the minor leagues before signing za minor league deal with the Blue Jays. Katoh would make his Major League debut on April 9 and a few weeks later collect his first and only career base hit. After going 1 for 7 with a double, Katoh would be DFA'd and spend the season in the New York Mets organization until he was released at the end of the year. Katoh is another player without a job heading into Spring Training.

Tayler Saucedo (New York Mets)

The career Blue Jay prospect climbed to the majors in 2021 and made four more appearances last year. Unfortunately, after surrendering six hits, three home runs and four runs over 2.2 innings in April he never really got another shot. This past November the New York Mets claimed him off of waivers.

Max Castillo (Kansas City Royals)

A lot of Blue Jays fans got really excited for 23-year-old prospect Max Castillo. Castillo's season started with the Buffalo Bisons where he had a 0.66 ERA over 27.1 innings pitched that led to a big league cameo. He would make nine appearances and had a respectable 3.05 ERA and a 0.968 WHIP over 20.2 innings. Castillo would be one of two prospects (Samad Taylor) traded to acquire Whit Merrifield from the Kansas City Royals in early August.

Andrew Vasquez (Philadelphia Phillies)

The Blue Jays signed Andrew Vasquez during Spring Training last year after having strong numbers through the Minnesota Twins minor league system. Vasquez made nine appearances early in the season and had some struggles in his first appearances, but seemed to be building some confidence until an ankle injury sidelined him for about six weeks. Shortly after getting healthy he would go on waivers and be claimed three separate times between August and November. He is currently a member of the Philadelphia Phillies.

Anthony Banda (Washington Nationals)

The Blue Jays acquired Anthony Banda from the Pittsburgh Pirates mid season and he made seven appearances surrendering three runs over 6.1 innings. Banda was unable to stick with the club and was released, eventually spending the remainder of the season with a few different teams. He would become a free agent at the end of the season and signed a minor league deal with the Washington Nationals in late December.

Foster Griffin (Yomiuri Giants - Japan)

The Blue Jays acquired Foster Griffin in a small trade with the Kansas City Royals in July. He would make his one and only appearance in September, tossing two shutout innings with a pair of strikeouts. Griffin was released from his contract in November. Griffin announced via Twitter this past week that he would be signing with the Yomiuri Giants in Japan.

Anthony Kay (Chicago Cubs)

One of two pieces the club acquired in the Marcus Stroman trade, Anthony Kay had an injury-filled season in 2022. He became victim of the depth organization had built up and was DFA'd just before Christmas. The Chicago Cubs claimed the left-hander off of waivers and he will try and earn a spot on their 26-man roster for 2023.