The Toronto Blue Jays are making interesting moves left, right, and center plate. Following Toronto’s re-signing of former 31 HR slugger Eloy Jimenez, they have signed previous Blue Jays draft pick Rafael Lantigua.
Lantigua is an interesting signing depth signing. While Jimenez provides a big swing in the batter’s box, Lantigua’s strengths lie elsewhere. However, he could be an underrated signing given his greatest strength and his alignment with the Blue Jays’ biggest need.
Toronto Blue Jays Sign Rafael Lantigua & Eloy Jimenez
Mike Rodriguez broke the news on X of Lantigua’s new deal.
“According to my sources, shortstop Rafael Lantigua has reached an agreement with the Toronto Blue Jays,” Rodriguez wrote on January 11, 2026. “It is a minor league contract with an invitation to spring training.”
Around the same time, Rodriguez also announced Jimenez’s return to the organization for another run.
“According to my sources, Eloy Jiménez has just reached an agreement with the Toronto Blue Jays,” Rodriguez wrote. “The deal is a minor league contract with an invitation to Major League spring training.”
Alden Gonzalez added to the report, revealing a significant change Jimenez made this offseason.
“Source: Eloy Jiménez has agreed to a minor league deal, with a spring training invite, with the Blue Jays,” Gonzalez reported on January 11th. “Jiménez, 29, has shed 20 pounds since the end of the season and has been playing in the Dominican winter league.”
Jimenez is listed as 6-foot-4, 250 lbs on the MLB website. Losing 20 pounds puts him at 230 for the upcoming season. This can only make him lighter on his feet, which is always a bonus for base running and playing in the outfield.
Lantigua lies on the other end of the spectrum. The 27-year-old is 5-foot-7 and 153 lbs, according to his profile page. He spent last year with the Philadelphia Phillies organization.
Rafael Lantigua’s Greatest Strength
Lantigua doesn’t have the best hitting numbers, but a few things stand out.
Offensively, home runs are not his calling card, as he only hit seven last year. However, his 56 RBIs rank him fifth on the Lehigh Valley IronPigs. Lantigua also ranked second in walks (77), sixth in stolen bases (17), and fourth in on-base percentage (.356).
Getting on base is obviously important. And once Lantigua is on base, he has the legs to steal bags, a talent that would be a big help to the Blue Jays
However, the value that Lantigua adds doesn’t stop there. He is a versatile player who can play multiple positions. In 2025, he played games at 2B, 3B, shortstop, left field, and designated hitter.
Interestingly, he played the most at 2B. Lantigua logged 79 of his 125 games in 2025 at 2B.
Blue Jays Biggest Need
According to Mitch Bannon of The Athletic, the middle infield is an area the Blue Jays need to fortify.
“One area they may still address is middle infield depth,” Bannon wrote on January 12, 2025. “Currently, the Jays only have three regular shortstops or second basemen on the 40-man roster, in Andrés Giménez, Ernie Clement, and Leo Jiménez.”
“Barger and Davis Schneider could play second base, if needed, but it’s still an area for the Jays to address.”
This aligns with a potential reason for making this signing. Lantigua plays sound defensively and gets on base offensively. Those sound like great attributes for a bargain utility player.
Blue Jays Trade Rumblings?
Bannon explains how the Blue Jays could address this need.
“Toronto could easily bring someone in on a minor-league deal to fill the middle infield gap,” Bannon wrote. “As we’ve already seen, Paul DeJong and Orlando Arcia accept non-roster invites. But the Jays could also try to move some outfield depth for infield.”
“Joey Loperfido doesn’t have a clear path to playing time in Toronto next year, and he clearly deserves regular run somewhere.”
While the Blue Jays could trade Joey Loperfido for middle field depth, they could also swing him for another reliever. Nathan Lukes was floated around as a potential trade chip in this regard as well.
One way or another, the Blue Jays have a big need at 2B or shortstop. Lantigua just might be the answer to that question.
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