Blue Jays Acquire Chase Lee: What This Means For Toronto

The Detroit Tigers and Toronto Blue Jays quietly completed a deal that could pay off for both bullpens in the next few seasons. Detroit sent right-hander Chase Lee to Toronto for left-handed prospect Johan Simon, a move that shakes up each team’s relief depth and clears crucial 40-man roster space for the Tigers to wrap up their signing of veteran reliever Kyle Finnegan.

Detroit Tigers Trade Chase Lee, Clear Path for Kyle Finnegan

This trade might seem like a minor bullpen shuffle at first glance. But really, it’s rooted in roster strategy as much as pure talent evaluation.

By moving Lee, the Tigers open a 40-man roster spot. They needed that to officially add Finnegan and lock down the back end of their relief corps.

Detroit also brings in a promising non-roster arm in Johan Simon. He could push his way into the major league picture sooner than people think.

Why Detroit Moved Chase Lee

Lee, 27, isn’t your typical power reliever. He’s built his game around a deceptive sidearm delivery and command, not raw velocity.

His four-seam fastball averages just 89.2 mph. But that funky arm angle keeps hitters guessing and makes for some awkward at-bats.

Originally a Texas Rangers draft pick, Lee landed in Detroit in a 2024 deadline deal for Andrew Chafin. Since then, he’s worked his way toward a big league role.

His minor league record is solid:

That performance mostly carried over to the majors. In his 2025 debut season, Lee logged:

He looks like a capable middle reliever who can miss bats and limit walks, even without lighting up the radar gun.

Blue Jays Add Unique Bullpen Look in Chase Lee

For Toronto, this isn’t just about adding another arm. It’s about diversifying the bullpen’s look and making life tough for hitters.

The Blue Jays have tried to mix arm slots, pitch shapes, and styles lately. They want to make lineup construction a headache for opposing managers.

How Lee Fits Toronto’s Bullpen Strategy

Lee’s sidearm delivery gives the Jays a new visual for hitters. That’s a handy weapon in a league obsessed with matchups and pitch profiles.

Most relievers these days throw mid-to-high 90s with high spin. Lee brings something different.

Another plus: minor league options. Lee still has options left, so Toronto can move him between Triple-A Buffalo and the big club as needed.

For the Jays, this trade checks a few boxes:

Toronto will probably use Lee in a fluid role, bouncing him between middle innings and matchup spots. He’ll be especially useful against right-handed hitters who have trouble with sidearmers.

Tigers Bet on Johan Simon’s Upside and Ground-Ball Profile

On the flip side, Detroit gets Johan Simon, a 24-year-old lefty from the Dominican Republic who’s quietly climbed Toronto’s system. He’s not on the 40-man roster, and that’s a big reason why the Tigers liked this deal.

Johan Simon’s Numbers Suggest Near-Term MLB Potential

Simon moved from Single-A to Double-A in 2025. His numbers suggest he could be close to the big leagues.

Across 71 relief innings, he posted:

That ground-ball profile should catch Detroit’s eye. A reliever who can miss bats and keep the ball down is a nice weapon when there’s traffic on the bases.

For the Tigers, Simon offers:

A Classic Modern Bullpen Trade: Flexibility, Options, and Upside

This deal really captures how front offices approach pitching depth these days. The Tigers give up a useful, controllable right-hander in Chase Lee to clear a 40-man spot.

They add a promising lefty in Johan Simon, who doesn’t need immediate roster protection. That move lets them finish the Kyle Finnegan signing and brings more long-term depth to their bullpen.

The Blue Jays get an optionable, deceptive reliever who matches their focus on mixing up pitching looks. Lee’s sidearm delivery and decent strikeout-to-walk numbers offer Toronto another weapon for a bullpen all about unpredictability.

 
Here is the source article for this story: Blue Jays To Acquire Chase Lee