The Toronto Blue Jays have been one of the more active teams this offseason, with their big free agent moves all coming in the form of pitching additions.
While the Blue Jays might be done adding talent to the bullpen and rotation, Toronto can still move on from some pieces in trades this winter.
As the Blue Jays announced on Wednesday, they have made a trade, moving on from one such player, a left-handed reliever, in a deal with the Cleveland Guardians.
Blue Jays trade lefty reliever to Guardians for cash
According to the Blue Jays, they have traded lefty reliever Justin Bruihl to the Guardians in exchange for cash considerations.
The 28-year-old left-hander has been in the Major Leagues since 2021 and has had stints with the Los Angeles Dodgers, Colorado Rockies, and Pittsburgh Pirates.
In 2025, he pitched in 15 games with the Blue Jays, posting a 5.27 ERA across 13.2 innings pitched with 18 strikeouts, two home runs, and seven walks. His 83 ERA+ wasn't the best mark of his career, and the Blue Jays decided to move on.
But, before this Guardians trade was made, the Blue Jays initially released Bruihl. But, with the Guardians wanting to jump any claims, they sent some cash considerations the Blue Jays way in exchange for Bruihl.
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It's a very small deal, but for the Blue Jays, they get something back in exchange for Bruihl as opposed to letting him go for nothing.
The Guardians made room for Bruihl by releasing Jhonkensy Noel, famously known as "Big Christmas." While the Blue Jays didn't do it directly, the trade they made led to "Big Christmas" getting released just a week before Christmas.
Bruihl stays in the American League, but heads to the Central on the Guardians roster to add to their bullpen. Toronto, meanwhile, adds some extra cash, and while that won't allow them to sign anyone of note, it's a better result than letting Bruihl walk for nothing.
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