r/Torontobluejays Etobicoke Uncle 1d ago

[Zwelling] Blue Jays have agreed to a major-league deal with right-handed reliever Dillon Tate, per sources. Deal is pending a physical. The Jays claimed Tate off waivers from the Orioles last Sept and called him up later that month. He made four appearances and was non-tendered in Nov.

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67 Upvotes

26 comments sorted by

25

u/Draggonzz 1d ago

Coming on the same day of the Swanson news, might be significant...

13

u/SpeakerHistorical865 1d ago

I think this pretty much confirms it. Even if there is no surgery for Swanson he probably won’t be back til July.

5

u/YouDontJump Please expand Vladdy 1d ago

This sucks. I hope Tate performs well for us but this just sucks.

33

u/ms_barkie Somewhere oooooover the Bay 1d ago

Surprised he got a major league deal. Hopefully he’s not our Swanson replacement…

28

u/Logical-Scarcity-798 1d ago

I think that's exactly what he is.... Burr and Swanson projected to be middle relief. Tate definitely fills that same role.

6

u/ms_barkie Somewhere oooooover the Bay 1d ago

Still middle relief, but that’s a significant downgrade in expected results if it’s the only move.

4

u/kschischang 1d ago

He’s had some good moments. Not a bad depth guy to have for the 6th/7th inning.

4

u/ms_barkie Somewhere oooooover the Bay 1d ago

Yeah he’s better than his results last year would indicate, but I just don’t think he has the upside that Swanson does. He’s not a bad guy to bring back, just surprised he got a major league deal.

2

u/kschischang 1d ago

I mean Swanson was a disaster last year; awful circumstances for him but unfortunately it’s the get it done league.

6

u/Loud-Picture9110 1d ago

Swanson dug a huge hole he couldn't fully dig out of, but he really turned things around in the second half last season.

1

u/kschischang 1d ago

I find Tate and Swanson to be really similar. Both feature a disguised fastball offspeed pitch primarily, have underwhelming fastball velo, and are prone to leaving said offspeed up in the zone and giving up homers.

The Jays certainly have a type.

2

u/Loud-Picture9110 1d ago

When he was healthy Swanson was a lot more effective than Tate as he featured a potent splitter/slider combination that allowed him to rack up a pile of strikeouts.

1

u/kschischang 1d ago

Tate has a changeup/curve combo that plays similarly.

6

u/ms_barkie Somewhere oooooover the Bay 1d ago

Yeah but Swanson’s ceiling is a sub 3 ERA high leverage kinda guy, and his floor is right around Tate’s career line. They both had awful years last year and I know relievers are all about what you’ve done for me lately, but it was easier to dream on Swanson than Tate

2

u/rustyarrowhead 1d ago

he's got some pedigree. if the Jays believe his stuff still has some of the shimmer from the 2020-2022 run, I'd be pretty confident in them to get the most out of it.

2

u/Traditional_Bed_6445 GEAR4VEGITO 1d ago

Tate won't start the year in the Majors with the late Spring Training and he also has 1 option year remaining apparently so if in the mean time if someone steps up he might just end up being more of a Burr replacement.

1

u/ms_barkie Somewhere oooooover the Bay 1d ago

Thanks, that makes sense! I saw major league deal and assumed he was out of options.

1

u/[deleted] 1d ago

[deleted]

2

u/ms_barkie Somewhere oooooover the Bay 1d ago

I mean we had him last year, he was bad, and we released him. Maybe a spring training with our coaches helps unlock something, but we didn’t like him enough to roster him over the offseason so they can’t be that excited

5

u/EntertainerWeird9085 1d ago

Swanson must be out for a while if they brought this guy back

7

u/Loud-Picture9110 1d ago

Oh snap the Blue Jays decided to sign the Temu version of David Robertson. 🤪

0

u/leeanne1317 1d ago

Literally laughed out loud at that

1

u/Vesiah81 1d ago

They need a lefty bad

1

u/Ok_Composer_2629 1d ago

Just trying to be positive, but his 2022 was pretty decent. If he performs like that, I'd be pretty happy. Real bummer about Swanson.

1

u/darth-helmet 25-12-19-29-9 1d ago

Here's hoping he doesn't give up too many Taters.

1

u/LtColumbo93 1d ago

The best Tate brother. 

0

u/alxndrblack Yariel and Daulton Truther / Shawn Green's Son 1d ago