The Toronto Blue Jays have added another intriguing name to their bullpen mix: Right-hander Jorge Alcala, who just signed a minor league deal with the organization, according to Ari Alexander.

As a result of the minor league deal, Alcala is not on the 40-man roster but he will come to spring training with an opportunity to make the club.

About Alcala

Now 30 years old, Alcala is a seven-year veteran of the Minnesota Twins, Boston Red Sox and St. Louis Cardinals. A hard-thrower who approaches 100 mph, he's gone 9-13 in his career with a 4.29 ERA.

Alcala had a productive 2024, going 4-3 with a 3.24 ERA in 54 games, but he struggled through three organizations in 2025. He went 0-2 with a 6.22 ERA in total and the Cardinals non-tendered him at the end of the season.

He struck out 61 batters in 55.0 innings this past season, but he walked 30, which is something that has plagued him.

How he fits in with the Jays

At the moment, he really doesn't.

Seven of the eight bullpen spots seem to be filled right now by Jeff Hoffman, Louis Varland, Tyler Rogers, Mason Fluharty, Yimi Garcia, Eric Lauer and Jose Berrios.

Braydon Fisher, who went 7-0 last season, is a contestant for the No. 8 spot, as is left-hander Brendan Little. The recently-outrighted Yariel Rodriguez will have a chance as will Rule-5 selections Spencer Miles and Angel Bastardo.

Just because it's a high-numbers game doesn't mean that Alcala can't win a spot, but the odds are against him. Of course, there's always the chance of injuries opening up a spot, and there's certainly a chance that Berrios or Lauer are traded, clearing the logjam more.

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Other questions for Toronto

As we approach the Christmas holiday, the Jays need to figure out a handful of things on their shopping list.

1) They need to figure out if they are done adding to the bullpen. Adding Rogers was a great move, but he's not the power-leverage arm they had been seeking. After striking out on Edwin Diaz, Raisel Iglesias and Devin Williams, could the Jays be back in play for Pete Fairbanks?

2) Toronto needs to figure out where it's going to add offensively. The Jays are reportedly interested in Kyle Tucker, and they have been linked to Ketel Marte on the trade market. Will they make one of those moves?

3) And, in conjunction with all that - do the Jays even want Bo Bichette back? How does a potential reunion with him complicate the possible moves listed above?

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