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Blue Jays Reportedly Sign Paolo Espino

By Nick Deeds | December 23, 2023 at 9:39pm CDT

The Blue Jays and right-hander Paolo Espino are in agreement on a contract, according to a report from Jon Heyman of the New York Post. There are no details on the specifics of the deal, though it’s presumably a minor league pact with an invite to major league Spring Training.

Espino, 37 next month, started his professional career all the way back in 2006 when he was drafted by Cleveland in the 10th round of that year’s draft. He first broke into the big leagues more than a decade later with a 6.00 ERA in 24 innings of work split between the Brewers and Rangers during the 2017 season. Espino was then relegated to the minors for the next two seasons before eventually resurfacing with the Nationals during the 2020 season. Though he pitched just six innings for the club during the shortened season, the performance went reasonably well as he posted a 4.50 ERA and 4.02 FIP with seven strikeouts across two appearances.

That cup of coffee with the Nationals in 2020 kicked off a four-year stint in D.C. that saw Espino relied upon as a swingman for the rebuilding club. Espino appeared in 77 games for the Nationals between 2021 and 2022, drawing 38 starts and pitching 223 innings during that time. While his numbers, while unimpressive, were more or less that which would be expected of a club’s #5 or #6 starter: a 4.56 ERA (88 ERA+) and a 4.70 FIP despite a meager 19.5% strikeout rate thanks in large part to a walk rate of just 5.2%.

Things took a turn for the worse for Espino in 2023. The veteran righty pitched just four innings for the big league club this past season, and was lit up for 11 runs on 14 hits and three walks while striking out just three in that limited time on the mound. Though Espino’s 13 starts at the Triple-A level went better as he posted a 4.33 ERA across 60 1/3 innings of work, Espino’s season came to an end in July when the righty was placed on the injured list due to a flexor strain. The end of his time in the Nationals organization came shortly thereafter, as the club placed Espino on release waivers in early August.

Since then, Espino has made nine starts in the Dominican Winter League, pitching to a strong 2.40 ERA in 48 2/3 innings of work while striking out 25.8% of batters faced. That strong performance clearly caught the attention of the Blue Jays, who decided to take a chance on Espino as a depth option headed into the 2024 season. The club appears set in the rotation with a quintet of Kevin Gausman, Jose Berrios, Yusei Kikuchi, Chris Bassitt, and Alek Manoah penciled in while the club prepares for the arrival of top prospect Ricky Tiedemann, but Espino could act as a depth option alongside the likes of Bowden Francis and Wes Parsons or perhaps provide competition for Mitch White as the club’s long relief option out of the bullpen.

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Toronto Blue Jays Transactions Paolo Espino

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View Comments (48)
Post a Comment

48 Comments

  1. jamesryu14

    2 years ago

    Ughhh

    1
    Reply
    • Dorothy_Mantooth

      2 years ago

      Toronto is having a worse offseason than Boston is to date.

      Reply
      • DanGrant2185

        2 years ago

        Because they signed one depth arm? Jingle your bells Kris Kringle

        2
        Reply
      • its_happening

        2 years ago

        Who is Boston dating?

        Reply
  2. Cknyc

    2 years ago

    so thats who was on that infamous flight to….toronto….is it too soon?….to….eh screw it.

    2
    Reply
  3. D2323

    2 years ago

    Never heard of her.

    5
    Reply
  4. SexyOhtani

    2 years ago

    Getting ready for rebuild!

    1
    Reply
    • Yogajonny

      2 years ago

      At this point, I’m ready for it. Cash in their chips and hope they learned from their past mistakes. It’ll never happen, though, due to the dome renos and fancy seats rogers needs to fill.

      1
      Reply
  5. nanokelvin

    2 years ago

    And you thought the Jays were done after missing out on Ohtani. So huge.

    6
    Reply
  6. FletcherFan69

    2 years ago

    IMG Academy legend

    1
    Reply
  7. TrumboRedux

    2 years ago

    This is huge! Congrats Jays!

    4
    Reply
    • Yanks2

      2 years ago

      I wouldn’t say “huge” but Espino definitely adds depth to the questionable rotation they had hoped would have been better

      Reply
      • bigdaddyt

        2 years ago

        Ummmmmmmmmmmmmmm questionable rotation? You mean potentially AL best rotation?

        10
        Reply
        • BaseballBrian

          2 years ago

          Means, Bradish, Rodriguez, Bradish, Wells > Blue Jays starters.

          Reply
      • Petey Bienel

        2 years ago

        I sort of hate to say something positive about somebody who likely isn’t going to get even a cup of coffee with a contender, but Espino was pretty effective in relief in 2021 and 2022 over 53.1 IP – .3.18 FIP, 5.0 K/BB, 16.8 K-BB%, suppressed homers. He seemed to get hit more as a starter. If he returns to that form, then he might be a multi-inning reliever. Looks healthy in the DWL.

        fangraphs.com/players/paolo-espino/8246/splits-too…

        Reply
      • bullred

        2 years ago

        I like that there are so many Jankee fans on a Blue Jays thread hoping that their Jankees will be half the team that the Jays are. Wishful thinking but it’s nice that they are hopeful at Christmas.

        1
        Reply
        • bullred

          2 years ago

          Jankees will be looking up at the Jays in the standings again this year! The Jankees have got so many broken down players clogging up their salary structure that they didn’t have a hope in hell of signing Yoshi at all. The front office know they have to get further into the luxury tax threshold to get any pitching this year but know that that will only cause problems doing it for the sorry old decrepit roster they currently have. Definitely a pickle. Sorry Jankee fans!

          Reply
  8. carousel

    2 years ago

    Is it there gift for Christmas?

    1
    Reply
  9. Wire to wire 2024

    2 years ago

    Sweet now they can trade manoah to the reds

    2
    Reply
    • DanGrant2185

      2 years ago

      For Spencer Steer? Done

      Reply
      • Wire to wire 2024

        2 years ago

        Sure Jan

        Reply
  10. Jaysfansince92

    2 years ago

    Sigh..

    1
    Reply
    • TrumboRedux

      2 years ago

      Of relief or despair??

      Reply
      • Jaysfansince92

        2 years ago

        Apathy at this point.

        2
        Reply
        • Ignorant Son-of-a-b

          2 years ago

          Are they deferring his salary ????

          Reply
  11. vaderzim

    2 years ago

    Nats legend… one of the only bright spots of 2022 for them.

    Reply
  12. bestone

    2 years ago

    Wow…I forgot about Mitch White too.
    Mr. Rogers…please fix the front office. Soon your neighbourhood will be empty of fans….
    This front office is making it tough to cheer for this team!

    1
    Reply
    • Jays fan. 3

      2 years ago

      I’ve cancelled sportsnet. This front office has made it more frustrating to cheer for the team than entertaining. Remember when there was the excitement of all the years of Bo and vlad.

      1
      Reply
      • JaysSinceBirth

        2 years ago

        You didn’t cancel anything

        Reply
  13. Yanks2

    2 years ago

    On paper, Toronto has one of the best rotations in the game. Unfortunately it hasn’t worked out as they had hoped. Especially for Manoah but maybe if he has a comeback year, some team will send a decent haul for him

    Reply
    • bigdaddyt

      2 years ago

      On paper and based on stats from last season besides they have multiple options for the 5th spot already. If Alek can’t come back to form Bowden Francis pitched his ass off last year and deserves a shot in spring for the 5 spot

      4
      Reply
      • KamKid

        2 years ago

        I’m a big fan of Francis. I think he’s a quality depth starter for sure.

        Reply
    • stymeedone

      2 years ago

      If Manoah returns to form, why would they trade him?

      Reply
  14. bestone

    2 years ago

    Reading this again, Espino must have naked pictures of someone in the front office or something….

    1
    Reply
  15. Old York

    2 years ago

    Jays defiantly missing out on their competitive window. What a shame but not surprising.

    I hope they will start to realize they need to sell high on some of their players before it’s too late.

    1
    Reply
  16. andrewhanna

    2 years ago

    Holy $hitballs!! The Blue Jays give fans an early Christmas present with huge news – Paolo Espino signing is official!!

    Reply
  17. SexyOhtani

    2 years ago

    Wait till a new headline that says “Paolo reportedly undecided yet” then he goes to Dodgers again

    1
    Reply
  18. its_happening

    2 years ago

    Not major league material but has been to the majors with lots of miles on him. Mentor the AAA pitchers. A vet for the Bisons.

    Reply
  19. GRE

    2 years ago

    Whoop Dee Do !! Atkins HAS TO GO !!!

    1
    Reply
  20. KamKid

    2 years ago

    Sounds like the kind of guy you could cheer for. Sometimes the entertainment value in the sport isn’t seeing the absolute best players, it’s seeing players with a good backstory who are likeable being good enough to contribute to the team. Jay Jackson for the Jays last year was one of the sources of good vibes.

    Reply
  21. RandalGrichuksStubble

    2 years ago

    This is the news Jays fans have been waiting all winter for.

    Reply
  22. BetterMuppet:JUDGEorKERMIT?

    2 years ago

    Obviously this is likely to be the 5th to 7th most impactful sign for the jays and gosh knows you need to always have the strongest 40 man you can…..but after being used as leverage in Ohtani and Yama whatever his name is for more money, and for the padres to get what they wanted out of the Yankees….it would have been nice to have seen something of more significance by now. Bellinger, Chapman, Hicks would be fine by me, with another pair of 5th starters that can ideally shuttle from Buffalo. I would say a Martinez or Hoskins for dh, but love the flexibility of no set DH if possible. End of the day Vladdy has to hit though or this is all moot

    1
    Reply
  23. bullred

    2 years ago

    Jays see something in Paolo. Dude is not afraid of the strike zone. Look at those walk rates . Batter’s have stepped into a few for sure. He needs to never throw his fastball ever again. Just go with the sweeper and changeup and make him into a Ryu- ish back end starter.

    Reply
    • Petey Bienel

      2 years ago

      He can be effective for stretches. In 2021-22, he threw 53.1 innings in relief with pretty good numbers – a 3.18 FIP and better ERA, with a 5.0 K:BB ratio. up to 1 time through the order, throwing his most effective stuff, sounds like a 1-time through the order multi-inning reliever more than a starter. If you figure 2023 might have been influenced by his elbow (for which he was shut down), the winter league performance probably eases the injury concern.

      Reply
  24. SnakeWit

    2 years ago

    This Jay’s off season is as productive as a stale stinky fart. Muchas Gracias for Moreno!!!

    Reply
    • OilCanLloyd

      2 years ago

      Welcome! Yeah Win some, lose some. Jays win trades too. And we gloat as well. But AZ needs to do more too. 6 games over .500 and a -15 run diff.
      I general there’s not a lot of creative high end trades…yet.

      Reply
  25. Cedric Lee

    2 years ago

    Huuuugggggeeee

    Reply
  26. OilCanLloyd

    2 years ago

    Toronto’s strength is suddenly the rotation and in that they’ve made their bed. And it’s comfy. Buy a big OF bat and 3rd baseman by trade.
    I don’t see Manoah in a Jays uni to start the season. Management gave up on him, the fan base has, even himself. Start there.

    Reply

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