Headlines

  • Mike Shildt Steps Down As Padres Manager
  • Tigers Extended Manager A.J. Hinch Earlier This Season
  • Munetaka Murakami To Be Posted This Offseason
  • Cody Bellinger To Opt Out Of Contract With Yankees
  • Angels, Albert Pujols Discussing Managerial Deal
  • Projected Arbitration Salaries For 2026
  • Previous
  • Next
Register
Login
  • Hoops Rumors
  • Pro Football Rumors
  • Pro Hockey Rumors

MLB Trade Rumors

Remove Ads
  • Home
  • Teams
    • AL East
      • Baltimore Orioles
      • Boston Red Sox
      • New York Yankees
      • Tampa Bay Rays
      • Toronto Blue Jays
    • AL Central
      • Chicago White Sox
      • Cleveland Guardians
      • Detroit Tigers
      • Kansas City Royals
      • Minnesota Twins
    • AL West
      • Athletics
      • Houston Astros
      • Los Angeles Angels
      • Seattle Mariners
      • Texas Rangers
    • NL East
      • Atlanta Braves
      • Miami Marlins
      • New York Mets
      • Philadelphia Phillies
      • Washington Nationals
    • NL Central
      • Chicago Cubs
      • Cincinnati Reds
      • Milwaukee Brewers
      • Pittsburgh Pirates
      • St. Louis Cardinals
    • NL West
      • Arizona Diamondbacks
      • Colorado Rockies
      • Los Angeles Dodgers
      • San Diego Padres
      • San Francisco Giants
  • About
    • MLB Trade Rumors
    • Tim Dierkes
    • Writing team
    • Advertise
    • Archives
  • Contact
  • Tools
    • 2025-26 MLB Free Agent List
    • 2026-27 MLB Free Agent List
    • Projected Arbitration Salaries For 2026
    • Contract Tracker
    • Transaction Tracker
    • Agency Database
  • NBA/NFL/NHL
    • Hoops Rumors
    • Pro Football Rumors
    • Pro Hockey Rumors
  • App
  • Chats
Go To Pro Hockey Rumors
Go To Hoops Rumors

Blue Jays Sign Josh Walker

By Darragh McDonald | December 20, 2024 at 5:05pm CDT

The Blue Jays announced that they have signed left-hander Josh Walker to a one-year split contract. Per Keegan Matheson of MLB.com, the southpaw will make $760K, which is next year’s league minimum, for time spent in the majors. The Associated Press reports that he’ll be paid at a $180K rate while in the minors. Right-hander Hagen Danner has been designated for assignment as the corresponding move.

Walker, 30, has a little bit of major league experience. He tossed 22 1/3 innings with the Mets over the past two seasons, allowing 6.45 earned runs per nine in that small sample. He struck out 22.7% of batters faced while giving out walks at an 11.7% clip. He was designated for assignment by the Mets in July and flipped to the Pirates, though the Bucs designated him for assignment shortly thereafter and eventually released him.

Those major league numbers aren’t especially impressive, but the Jays are likely attracted to his minor league work, where he has shown huge strikeout ability but also significant control issues. He has thrown 89 innings on the farm over the past three years with a 3.54 ERA, giving out walks to 12.7% of opponents but also punching them out at a huge 33.7% rate. The Jays were seemingly intrigued enough by those numbers to give Walker a 40-man roster spot.

Remaking the bullpen is an ongoing project for the Jays after the group let them down in 2024. Toronto relievers had a collective 4.82 ERA this year, with only the Rockies posting a worse number in that category. Since the season ended, Génesis Cabrera and Jordan Romano were both cut from the roster and both have signed with other clubs already. The Jays re-signed Yimi García, who they had traded to the Mariners last year, and also acquired Nick Sandlin in the Andrés Giménez trade.

Prior to this deal, the only lefty relievers on the roster were Brendon Little, Brandon Eisert and Easton Lucas. It’s a very inexperienced group, as none of those southpaws has even thrown 50 big league innings yet. Walker adds another lefty into that competition and he still has an option year remaining, as do the other three, so they might take turns moving between the big leagues and Triple-A throughout the year. Walker still has less than a year of service time, so he can be cheaply retained for many years to come if he continues to hang onto his roster spot.

Danner, 26, he was drafted as a catcher but struck out a lot in the lower levels of the minors and got moved to the mound. In 2021, he tossed 35 2/3 innings at High-A with a 2.02 ERA, 29.4% strikeout rate and 8.4% walk rate. That was his first professional season as a pitcher but he was already Rule 5 eligible due to the years he spent behind the plate. The Jays gave him a 40-man roster spot after that season to prevent him from being plucked away.

He has hit a few speed bumps since then. He spent most of 2022 on the injured list and only made four minor league appearances. In 2023, he was healthy enough to throw 28 1/3 Triple-A innings with a 3.81 ERA. His 31.5% strikeout rate and 6.3% walk rate were quite good but he allowed eight home runs. He also made his major league debut that year but only tossed one third of an inning before landing on the injured list due to an oblique strain. In 2024, he logged 34 1/3 innings at the Triple-A level with a 3.15 ERA, 23.3% strikeout rate and 8.9% walk rate.

Overall, the results haven’t been bad, but he hasn’t been able to pitch much due to the time spent catching and the health issues. He has just 114 1/3 professional innings on his ledger thus far and he has just one option year remaining.

DFA limbo normally lasts a week but recent years have seen that clock paused over the period from Christmas to New Year’s. On this date last year, Ryan Jensen was designated for assignment by the Marlins and he wasn’t claimed off waivers by the Twins until January 4, over two weeks later. That will give the Jays some time to see if there’s any trade interest in Danner.

Share Repost Send via email

Toronto Blue Jays Transactions Hagen Danner Josh Walker

Marlins Sign Eric Wagaman, Designate Vidal Bruján
Main
Mariners, Nationals, Mets Interested In Paul Goldschmidt
View Comments (54)
Post a Comment

54 Comments

  1. bhd360

    10 months ago

    Ross Atkins just going crazy right now, slow down big boy

    9
    Reply
    • TheRickestRick

      10 months ago

      Better then nothing
      Close to nothing
      But not nothing
      Every team need bum lefty in the bullpen

      Reply
      • bhd360

        10 months ago

        If that’s the case just bring back Genesis

        Reply
        • TheRickestRick

          10 months ago

          Genesis is already signed with the Mets
          Would be hard to sign him now

          3
          Reply
        • bigdaddyt

          10 months ago

          I believe they meant that why would they not have given Genesis a contract instead of non tendering him allowing him to freely sign with the Mets but let’s throw some sas at someone who’s already down because ya know it’s the jays

          Reply
        • bhd360

          10 months ago

          Which only happened because he was DFA’d. Just meant if we’re signing meh lefties why not keep the one you already have who has so far proven to be less meh than this meh option?

          The fact I’m even talking about this should tell you the mental state of this fan base rn

          Reply
    • Theodore

      10 months ago

      Collecting more garbage for minor leagues

      Reply
  2. NYCityRiddler

    10 months ago

    Wrong Walker. Ahahahaha!

    6
    Reply
    • Unclemike1526

      10 months ago

      NYCRiddler- I wanted to say that. Well done.

      Reply
      • NYCityRiddler

        10 months ago

        Thanks Uncle!

        Reply
  3. Marqueef Grissom

    10 months ago

    world series, print the papers now

    Reply
    • tom brunanskys black sock

      10 months ago

      This never gets old! Hilarious! Exemplary wit!

      14
      Reply
      • Theodore

        10 months ago

        What the hell is Atkins doing another player that sucks .

        4
        Reply
        • bestone

          10 months ago

          Be kind to Ross…he’s had a rough week with all those signings…

          1
          Reply
        • Theodore

          10 months ago

          He has had a ruff year for 6 of the last 10 years

          1
          Reply
    • Ignorant Son-of-a-b

      10 months ago

      When can I buy a Looney Dog?

      1
      Reply
  4. exposjays

    10 months ago

    Another bandaid,,, sigh !!

    1
    Reply
    • Theodore

      10 months ago

      Another band aid , how can u even consider this guy as a signing . Another dumb ass move by this organization to continue their tend of signing nobodies , fans stay away fro the stadium and maybe empty seats will infuriate Rogers enough to get rid of these 2 twits

      3
      Reply
  5. MuleorAstroMule

    10 months ago

    How do those numbers warrant a major league contract?

    1
    Reply
    • Theodore

      10 months ago

      Typical Atkins and Shapiro signing to better this franchise , can you fans stop going or buying tickets to this overpriced franchise until they start putting mlb players on the field .

      1
      Reply
    • bestone

      10 months ago

      He was cut twice last year…last time by the Pirates.
      Not a good sign.

      1
      Reply
      • Theodore

        10 months ago

        All guys Atkins signed last 3 years in particular have been same typ of people all cuts by mlb teams

        Reply
  6. Edp007

    10 months ago

    Rumours all over the net. CBS reports jays talking w Vlad on extension 500-600 m
    Also report Walker signs w Astros 3 years 60 mill. The writers here are watching college football with phones silenced.

    Reply
    • Edp007

      10 months ago

      Sleeping on the Vladdy rumours I meant

      Reply
    • tom brunanskys black sock

      10 months ago

      Source?

      TwitterSportzKiddo69?

      Reply
      • Edp007

        10 months ago

        CBS and local media

        Reply
      • Edp007

        10 months ago

        Google Vladdy’s name and it’s everywhere. Nytimes, etc etc Sportsnet in Canada ( owned by Rogers) everywhere but here

        Reply
  7. Schlootle

    10 months ago

    Atkins gonna be in for it when he realizes he signed the wrong Walker

    Reply
    • bestone

      10 months ago

      He got a “deal” however

      Reply
  8. ontario_dave

    10 months ago

    Looks like Shatkins is hoping to maintain that 5 ERA bullpen. What an exciting off-season so far. You would think Atkins might feel a little more urgency considering he should’ve been fired at the end of 2023 and before last season’s last place finish…. One blunder after another and one excuse after another.

    4
    Reply
    • MuleorAstroMule

      10 months ago

      I just don’t understand how they apparently had the money to sign Ohtani or Soto but nobody else as their window of contention closes.

      Reply
      • RotiniRick

        10 months ago

        The interest in Ohtani was more than his skill set. Roger’s rightfully also saw him as an investment so the money they had allocated for him wasn’t spent on player B, C, or D because the return would not have be as beneficial after he signed with LA

        Same thing to a lesser extent with Soto.

        Reply
        • MuleorAstroMule

          10 months ago

          In terms of production, the best free agents also cost the most. I understand perhaps they saw Ohtani as a marketing vehicle, but that’s hard to argue about Soto.

          There just seems to be a giant disconnect between courting the two top players but then signing guys like Kiner-Falefa and Turner. Why there isn’t a middle ground when the window is closing is a bit baffling.

          2
          Reply
        • high_upside

          10 months ago

          This totally! We’re totally playing at the top it bottom of the market. Nothing in between

          Reply
  9. Edp007

    10 months ago

    Vladdy 13 for 565. Heard it here first

    Reply
    • Theodore

      10 months ago

      People listen Vlad will not sign here with the way this management team is doing business , he will go to the highest bidder at end of season , why would he want to play for Atkins and Shapiro , and no other talent on the team always will finish at bottom of division if they keep going like this, also who would want to sign here with these two twits in control. These signing lately have not even been good enough to play in Buffalo and that’s saying a lot because the minor league teams in this franchise have no talent on them like the mlb team

      1
      Reply
    • Old York

      10 months ago

      Vlad is going to the open market, given how much money an essentially DH got this year, he’s going to want his cut. Wouldn’t be surprised if the Yankees or Mets are waiting for him. Given how terrible the team has managed his opportunity, the Jays would probably have to offer him $700+ to stay on that sinking ship.

      Reply
  10. CTS4

    10 months ago

    How on earth can you compete with a signing like this….the GM shapiro and his incompetent lackie are the Wrong people running this club.
    the lousy GM shapiro and his 4A coach schneider are lame ducks.

    The Nightmare continues….

    Reply
    • Theodore

      10 months ago

      This is a minor league outfit trying to run mlb team . Fans have to stop attending games with what these guys are putting on the field . Stop paying a lot of money for a minor league team , we should not go to games and then maybe Rogers will get the point . Plenty of renovation to stadium to increase prices on tickets , but they are putting crap product on the field

      1
      Reply
    • Theodore

      10 months ago

      They should bloody be embarrassed making big announcement on signings like this to the fans of Blue Jay, , but that’s how ignorant and annoying Atkins and Shapiro are.

      1
      Reply
    • KingKat

      10 months ago

      It’s a depth move. All teams make them. This has no barring on whether they compete or not. The lynchpin of the offseason (so far) is the Cleveland deal.

      Reply
  11. GO1962

    10 months ago

    Could it be that the Blue Jays front office is trying to trick all of the Canucks north of the border into thinking that this Walker guy is either the Walker who is the All-Star caliber player who played in the desert south of the border, or the Walker who is a Canuck, not knowing that the Canuck retired a long time ago?

    Reply
    • KingKat

      10 months ago

      No.

      Reply
  12. jimmertee

    10 months ago

    Answer this question: “all I want for Christmas for the BlueJays is….”

    1
    Reply
  13. RandalGrichuksStubble

    10 months ago

    World Series in Canada confirmed.

    Reply
  14. YourDreamGM

    10 months ago

    A

    Reply
  15. LFGMets (Metsin7) #BannedForBeingABaseballExpertAGAIN)

    10 months ago

    One of the worst relievers that I’ve seen in the past 5 years, and thats saying something. Hopefully their next move is to sign Drew Smith, I’ve been getting ulcers of the thought of him being back with the Mets

    Reply
    • Theodore

      10 months ago

      That’s the type of play Atkins and Shapiro like and Rogers does not seem to give a lick . These guys should have been fired a long time ago , but maybe even go further than that and never been hired . They do not hold a candle to Pat Gillick of Anthopoulos .

      1
      Reply
  16. Theodore

    10 months ago

    It’s not that do not want to play in Canada , it’s they do not want to play for Atkins or Shapiro , u realize they are the lowest ranked management team by other mlb clubs , wake up Rogers .

    1
    Reply
  17. Theodore

    10 months ago

    MLB should not even bother reporting these types of deals by the Blue Jays management

    Reply
    • KingKat

      10 months ago

      They report them for all teams.

      1
      Reply
  18. Franx

    10 months ago

    Hagen Danner? The only guy that was worth a damn in the Bisons bullpen that has one option remaining… And you DFA him? Wtf is going on?

    1
    Reply

Leave a Reply Cancel reply

Please login to leave a reply.

Log in Register

    Top Stories

    Mike Shildt Steps Down As Padres Manager

    Tigers Extended Manager A.J. Hinch Earlier This Season

    Munetaka Murakami To Be Posted This Offseason

    Cody Bellinger To Opt Out Of Contract With Yankees

    Angels, Albert Pujols Discussing Managerial Deal

    Projected Arbitration Salaries For 2026

    Rangers Hire Skip Schumaker As Manager

    Albert Pujols To Interview For Angels’ Managerial Vacancy, May Be “Leading Choice”

    Bill Schmidt Will Not Return As Rockies’ GM

    Brian Snitker Will Not Return As Braves’ Manager In 2026

    Angels To Have New Manager In 2026

    Rays Sale To Patrick Zalupski’s Group Officially Completed

    Guardians Promote Chase DeLauter For Wild Card Series

    Bruce Bochy Will Not Return As Rangers Manager Amid Financial Uncertainty

    Liam Hendriks Undergoes Ulnar Nerve Transposition Surgery

    Twins Fire Rocco Baldelli

    Giants Fire Bob Melvin

    Pirates Sign Manager Don Kelly To Extension

    Pete Alonso To Opt Out Of Mets Contract, Enter Free Agency

    Padres Place Ramón Laureano On Injured List Due To Finger Fracture

    Recent

    Sandy Alomar Sr. Passes Away

    Trade Rumors Front Office Subscriber Chat, Today 3pm CT

    Submit Your Questions For This Week’s Episode Of The MLBTR Podcast

    Rob Thomson Will Return As Phillies’ Manager In 2026

    Mike Shildt Steps Down As Padres Manager

    Tigers Extended Manager A.J. Hinch Earlier This Season

    Chris Owings Announces Retirement

    The Opener: ALCS, NLCS, Lukes

    Nathan Lukes Exits ALCS Game 1 Due To Knee Contusion

    Guardians To Look For Outfield Upgrades This Winter

    MLBTR Newsletter - Hot stove highlights in your inbox, five days a week

    Latest Rumors & News

    Latest Rumors & News

    • Every MLB Trade In July
    Trade Rumors App for iOS and Android App Store Google Play

    MLBTR Features

    MLBTR Features

    • Remove Ads, Support Our Writers
    • Front Office Originals
    • Tim Dierkes' MLB Mailbag
    • Front Office Fantasy Baseball
    • MLBTR Podcast
    • 2025-26 MLB Free Agent List
    • 2026-27 MLB Free Agent List
    • Projected Arbitration Salaries For 2026
    • Contract Tracker
    • Transaction Tracker
    • Extension Tracker
    • Agency Database
    • MLBTR On Twitter
    • MLBTR On Facebook
    • Team Facebook Pages
    • How To Set Up Notifications For Breaking News
    • Hoops Rumors
    • Pro Football Rumors
    • Pro Hockey Rumors

    Rumors By Team

    • Angels Rumors
    • Astros Rumors
    • Athletics Rumors
    • Blue Jays Rumors
    • Braves Rumors
    • Brewers Rumors
    • Cardinals Rumors
    • Cubs Rumors
    • Diamondbacks Rumors
    • Dodgers Rumors
    • Giants Rumors
    • Guardians Rumors
    • Mariners Rumors
    • Marlins Rumors
    • Mets Rumors
    • Nationals Rumors
    • Orioles Rumors
    • Padres Rumors
    • Phillies Rumors
    • Pirates Rumors
    • Rangers Rumors
    • Rays Rumors
    • Red Sox Rumors
    • Reds Rumors
    • Rockies Rumors
    • Royals Rumors
    • Tigers Rumors
    • Twins Rumors
    • White Sox Rumors
    • Yankees Rumors

    Navigation

    • Sitemap
    • Archives
    • RSS/Twitter Feeds By Team

    MLBTR INFO

    • Advertise
    • About
    • Commenting Policy
    • Privacy Policy

    Connect

    • Contact Us
    • Twitter
    • Facebook
    • RSS Feed

    MLB Trade Rumors is not affiliated with Major League Baseball, MLB or MLB.com

    Do not Sell or Share My Personal Information

    hide arrows scroll to top

    Register

    Desktop Version | Switch To Mobile Version