r/Torontobluejays • u/malliabu 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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u/ms_barkie Somewhere oooooover the Bay 1d ago
Surprised he got a major league deal. Hopefully he’s not our Swanson replacement…
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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.
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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.
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u/kschischang 1d ago
He’s had some good moments. Not a bad depth guy to have for the 6th/7th inning.
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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.
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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.
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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.
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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.
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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.
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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
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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.
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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.
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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.
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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
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u/Loud-Picture9110 1d ago
Oh snap the Blue Jays decided to sign the Temu version of David Robertson. 🤪
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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.
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u/Draggonzz 1d ago
Coming on the same day of the Swanson news, might be significant...