The Los Angeles Dodgers and Toronto Blue Jays competed in the World Series this season, with the Dodgers coming out victorious.
Now the Blue Jays could look to find a victory of their own by signing one of Los Angeles’ top pitchers away from the team in free agency.
Just Baseball’s Jordan Leandre urged the Blue Jays to sign injured Dodgers pitcher Evan Phillips in free agency. Phillips likely won’t be ready until after the All-Star break next season, but the Blue Jays could still add him.
“Phillips made just seven appearances in 2025 before an elbow injury ended his season. While his recovery makes him likely to miss most of the 2026 season, there’s a chance he’d be ready for the stretch run in September,” Leandre wrote. “Since 2022, the 31-year-old right-hander has ranked sixth in reliever ERA among qualifiers. During that span, he’s also top 10 in fWAR, 22nd in strikeout-to-walk rate, and 14th in opponent batting average.
“Like most relievers, the best way to beat him is with the long ball. However, he’s maintained a sub-one home run per nine innings since becoming a Dodger. Part of why the Jays couldn’t push it across the finish line was the bullpen’s inability to keep the ball in the yard.”
It would be quite risky for the Blue Jays to sign Phillips, but it could make sense under specific circumstances.
The Blue Jays could try to make it worth their while by signing him to a two or three-year deal with club options after each season. This would allow the Blue Jays to opt out of the contract if the righty doesn’t bounce back from his injury too well. It would be the perfect low-risk, high-reward deal for Toronto to make.
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