The Toronto Blue Jays have been busy on the prospect front. Since dropping Game 7 of the World Series to the Los Angeles Dodgers, they have been collecting international free agents and depth MLB signings. Jorge Burgos is the latest signing, joining Celwin Hurkmans, Geovanny Planchart, Hedbert Perez, and Isay Veras. But one signing that flew under the radar was Elian Guzman.
Naturally, this is primarily due to the evolving situation involving Bo Bichette, Kyle Tucker, and Alex Bregman. Some believe the Blue Jays could land Bichette and Tucker, while others believe Bichette and Bregman will be the duo Toronto signs.
The Blue Jays have already brought back Shane Bieber to the rotation. Additionally, Dylan Cease, Cody Ponce, and Tyler Rogers have signed, bolstering the pitching department. With that being said, if Toronto can add at least one of Bichette, Tucker, or Bregman, it would be enough to consider this offseason a success.
Toronto Blue Jays Sign Elian Guzman
According to the Blue Jays’ transactions page, they made a couple of moves on December 4th. They signed Alieski Torres, and the aforementioned Veras and Guzman all on the same day. All three were signed to a minor league contract.
Guzman’s MLB profile lists him at 6-foot-2 and 175 lbs. His full name is Elian Ismael Guzman. He is also 17 years old and has a March birthday.
As is typical for players like Guzman, there is not much information available about him. However, one report says that this pitcher has a fastball that reaches 96 MPH. As a 17-year-old, that is impressive.
In 2025, the Blue Jays had only four pitches reach 96 MPH or exceed it. Yariel Rodriguez threw 95.7 MPH, Jeff Hoffman threw 96.4 MPH, Seranthony Dominguez threw 97.7 MPH, and Louis Varland threw 98.1 MPH.
This winter, Toronto has signed two pitchers who reach a similar velocity on their four-seamers. Cease hit 97.1 MPH with his fastball, while Jorge Alcala recorded a 97.4 MPH fastball.
If Guzman is hitting 96 MPH at this age, who knows how much that velocity will increase in three to five years?
New Blue Jays Trade Chips?
According to recent trade speculation, they may be able to get some value out of some unexpected players this winter. Fansided scribe Brandon Glick believes that the likes of Nathan Lukes and Anthony Santander could draw a decent return for the Blue Jays.
“The Blue Jays have built up something of a stockpile of talent in the outfield corners in recent years,” Glick wrote on December 19th. “Nathan Lukes looks like the early favorite to start in left field after his strong postseason run. Might it be time to sell high on a left-handed bat who can comfortably play all three outfield positions?”
“Or what about Anthony Santander? John Schneider confirmed that the veteran outfielder is healthy, and it was just one year ago that he hit 44 home runs for the Baltimore Orioles. You’d be selling low on the slugger…but freeing his money up from the books could enable the Blue Jays to do more elsewhere on the roster.”
All of this stems from the growing sense that the Chicago White Sox will trade away one of their outfielders. Bob Nightengale reports that they would like to move centerfielder Luis Robert. He also reveals that the pitching depth is the asking price.
This feeds into other Blue Jays reports that suggested they could trade an outfielder for another reliever.
What’s Going on With Bichette and Tucker?
Now that it’s Christmas Day, nothing is expected to happen for at least a day (maybe two). However, things were trending in a positive direction regarding at least one of the three big bats.
With Tucker, the latest report suggested he might sign with the Blue Jays before Christmas. That has obviously not come to pass, but it doesn’t negate that this report also says, “Nothing is finalized at this point, but all indications are Blue Jays will land him.”
Another Tucker report suggests that Toronto will look to fortify the infield before they move to the outfield — where Tucker plays.
“All these things are in play for the Blue Jays,” Ken Rosenthal said on the December 22nd episode of Foul Territory, while discussing the different options the Blue Jays have. “I imagine Tucker and (Cody) Bellinger, to an extent, are as well. Their need, their greater need, is in the infield.”
The Return of Bo Bichette?
Elsewhere, things are trending positively with Bichette. A recent report reveals that both sides are interested in running it back.
“A Bichette reunion is very much on the table with them,” Murray said on a recent episode of Foul Territory. “He’s obviously a homegrown player, someone they know inside and out. Tucker is also a player of interest there…I’m even seeing some buzz from the other insiders saying that they could possibly add both.”
This should excite Toronto fans greatly. Adding the bats of Tucker and Bichette would be an enormous move for the Blue Jays.
A Bichette decision could come before or after the Boston Red Sox execute a trade for Brendan Donovan or Ketel Marte.
While Blue Jays’ fans aren’t getting an early Christmas present in the form of a Tucker or Bichette signing, things are trending in the right direction. It’s only a matter of time.
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