Both the Toronto Blue Jays and Cincinnati Reds have been active this offseason. For the Reds, the biggest headline is the return of Terry Francona to the baseball scene. Beyond that, their moves have been more subtle, including the addition of Brady Singer, who is expected to solidify their starting rotation. However, the loss of Jonathan India, whose .357 on-base percentage ranked second among qualifying second basemen behind only Ketel Marte last season, is a notable blow to their offensive lineup.
On the other hand, Toronto’s offseason efforts have yielded little success. They’ve missed out on all their top targets, putting their 2025 season in jeopardy unless they can turn things around quickly. With Vladimir Guerrero Jr. and Bo Bichette entering their final year before free agency, GM Ross Atkins is under intense pressure to find solutions.
Both teams face significant challenges with their lineups and pitching depth, making it difficult to view either as a contender in their current states. However, there remains hope for both franchises to steer their situations in a positive direction.
The Reds are now favorites for Carlos Estevez
According to Jon Heyman of the New York Post, both Toronto and Cincinnati have expressed interest in star reliever Carlos Estévez. In 2024, Estévez delivered a stellar performance, posting a 2.45 ERA and 50 strikeouts over 55 innings with the Angels and Phillies. This marked a breakout season for the 32-year-old, who had never recorded an ERA below 3.47 in previous years.
However, the Blue Jays appear to have concluded their search for bullpen reinforcements by announcing a three-year deal with another standout reliever, Jeff Hoffman. This move puts Cincinnati in a prime position to pursue Estévez, though Toronto’s signing of Hoffman comes with flexibility. While initially added as a reliever, Hoffman could transition to the rotation if the Jays’ hunt for a starter falls short.
Regardless of Estévez’s eventual destination, the reliever market remains full of options. Heyman highlights notable names like Kirby Yates, Kenley Jansen, José Leclerc, and A.J. Minter, along with others such as Tanner Scott, David Robertson, Danny Coulombe, Craig Kimbrel, and Jakob Junis. Even if the Reds miss out on Estévez, they’ll still have numerous alternatives to consider.
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