The Blue Jays are betting on a familiar arm to bolster their left-handed bullpen! It's not every day a team brings back a player who finished the previous season in their minor league system, but that's exactly what the Toronto Blue Jays have done with veteran lefty Joe Mantiply. He's officially re-signed to a minor league contract, which also includes a non-roster invitation to Major League spring training. This means he'll be in camp with the big club, vying for a spot.
Mantiply's journey back to Toronto is an interesting one. He was actually released by the Arizona Diamondbacks in June of last year. Not long after the All-Star break, the Blue Jays decided to give him an opportunity, signing him to a minor league deal. He spent a brief period at their Florida complex to get his arm ready before heading to Triple-A Buffalo. With the Bisons, he pitched 15 2/3 innings, allowing eight runs (six of which were earned). While those numbers might not jump off the page, here's where it gets interesting: Mantiply showcased excellent control, boasting an impressive 19-to-1 strikeout-to-walk ratio against 64 batters faced in Triple-A. This strong performance, despite not earning a big league call-up last year, was apparently enough for the Blue Jays to bring him back into the fold after he explored minor league free agency this past offseason.
For those who might not remember, Mantiply was a surprise All-Star in 2022! That season was a career-best for him, as he pitched 60 innings and posted a solid 2.85 ERA. Now 35 years old, this southpaw is known for his pinpoint command and his ability to induce ground balls. However, his velocity is considered below average, with his sinker averaging just 88.4 mph last year. Despite this, he generates excellent movement on his sinker and his changeup, making him a reliable middle reliever as recently as 2024. But here's where it gets controversial: Last year, in his limited 9 2/3 innings at the MLB level, he was hit hard, allowing 17 runs. This stark contrast between his minor league success and big league struggles is certainly something to ponder.
The Blue Jays are widely considered to have one of the stronger rosters in baseball, but they are notably light on established left-handed relief pitching. Beyond Mantiply, their options include Eric Lauer, who is expected to handle multi-inning relief duties. Then there's Mason Fluharty, a specialist who relies on a soft-tossing cutter, and Brendon Little, who possesses more raw power and velocity. Both Fluharty and Little have the potential to miss bats, but consistency in finding the strike zone has been a challenge for them. Adding another layer of complexity is Ricky Tiedemann, a former top prospect who could be a factor in either the rotation or the bullpen as a rookie. However, he's been battling elbow discomfort early in camp, a recurring issue for the oft-injured young pitcher.
So, with these pieces in place, what do you think about the Blue Jays' decision to bring Joe Mantiply back? Is he the right kind of arm to fill that left-handed relief void, or are there other factors at play that make this a risky move? Let us know your thoughts in the comments below!
