Perfect Game: Blue Jays Sign Cody Ponce

The Blue Jays add another starting pitcher to their deep rotation.

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The Toronto Blue Jays keep their busy offseason going by signing another starting pitcher, this time Cody Ponce. They signed him to a 3 year/$30 million contract.

Who is This Guy?

Cody Ponce is a right-handed pitcher known for his solid mix of pitches and ability to generate strikeouts. Before joining the Blue Jays, he spent time in the minor leagues and had stints with other MLB organizations.

Ponce’s pitching arsenal includes a fastball that sits in the low 90s, a sharp slider, and a changeup that keeps hitters off balance. His control and command have improved over the years, allowing him to limit walks and induce weak contact. These skills are crucial for a team like the Blue Jays, which aims to build a reliable pitching core.

He posted a superb 1.89 ERA in the KBO (Korean Baseball League) last year, along with 252 strikeouts in 180.2 innings. He was named the KBO's MVP last season, which probably grabbed the Blue Jays' interest.

What the Blue Jays Gain from Signing Ponce

Adding Cody Ponce to the roster does provide the Blue Jays with several advantages:

• Depth in the rotation  

  Ponce offers an option for the starting rotation, especially useful if injuries or performance issues arise among the current starters.

• Bullpen flexibility  

  His ability to pitch multiple innings makes him a candidate for long relief roles, helping the bullpen manage workloads more effectively.

• Potential for growth  

  At 28 years old, Ponce is entering his prime years. With Pete Walker already proven he can turn pitchers into bona fide aces, he could develop into a consistent contributor.

How Ponce Fits into the Blue Jays’ Current Pitching Staff

The Blue Jays have a mix of young talent and veteran arms in their pitching staff. Ponce’s signing complements this blend by adding a pitcher who can fill multiple roles. He is not expected to be the ace but can provide stability and innings when called upon.

That being said, we already have a lot of starters to begin with. With Gausman, Bieber, Cease, and Yesavage already securing the top 4 spots in the rotation, there's only one spot left. We still have Berrios, Bassit, and Lauer who can fill that spot. I guess Ponce would be there if someone got injured....

Final Thoughts

I don't know what to make of this signing. It's always nice to add a pitcher, but we have a lot of pitchers to begin with.... we don't really need another one. I suppose if someone gets injured or underperforms, he could step in. I assume Bassit and Lauer will go to the bullpen for long relief appearances.

The Blue Jays and Rogers have shown their willingness to invest in order to win, which they should considering they have a boatload of money. Hopefully, this signing helps accomplish this.

Article by Jacksen MacLean.