"He exceeded all expectations for that contract, posting a 3.18 ERA (134 ERA+) and 1.108 WHIP across 28 appearances. The lefty stepped into the rotation early in the year when the Blue Jays desperately needed quality innings, then moved to the bullpen following the return of Max Scherzer and the acquisition of Shane Bieber. He remained in that role through the playoffs, where he threw four-and-two-thirds scoreless frames against the Los Angeles Dodgers in the 18-inning marathon that was game three of the World Series."
"He proved throughout 2025 that he possesses the pitches, savviness, and composure necessary to get bigs out in pressure-packed situations. Brendon Little and Mason Fluharty shouldn't be ahead of him in the pecking order by default just because they get more strikeouts. Every team needs an arm capable of throwing three or four innings on short notice in case a starting pitcher is pulled early."
Zach Lauer signed an incentive-laden minor-league deal after pitching part of 2024 in Korea and delivered a 3.18 ERA (134 ERA+) with a 1.108 WHIP across 28 appearances in 2025. He began the year in the rotation, shifted to the bullpen after Max Scherzer returned and Shane Bieber was acquired, and threw 4 2/3 scoreless innings during the 18-inning World Series Game 3. He projects to return to a bullpen role in 2026 but deserves more high-leverage opportunities given his pitches, savviness, composure, long-relief capability, and potential as emergency rotation depth.
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