The Toronto Blue Jays have made a significant trade, acquiring talented right-handed pitcher Chase Lee from the Detroit Tigers in exchange for promising left-handed pitcher Johan Simon. This move was officially announced by the Major League Baseball club on Friday.
Lee, a 27-year-old player hailing from Birmingham, Alabama, showcased his skills in his rookie season with the Tigers in 2025, appearing in 32 games. During this time, he maintained a 4.10 earned-run average, a 1.10 WHIP, a 6.1% walk rate, and an impressive 24.3% strikeout rate.
Originally drafted by the Texas Rangers in the sixth round of the 2021 draft from the University of Alabama, Lee transitioned to the Tigers’ system during the 2024 trade deadline. Throughout his minor league career, which includes 163 appearances with primarily relief pitching, he has accumulated a total of 275 strikeouts in 204.2 innings, accompanied by a 4.13 ERA.
On the other end of the trade, Simon, a 24-year-old Dominican Republic native, showcased his potential during the 2025 season across various minor league levels. With stints in Single-A Dunedin, High-A Vancouver, and Double-A New Hampshire, he posted a solid 3.42 ERA over 71.0 innings in 31 games.
Toronto signed Simon as an international free agent back in 2020, where he has since proven his value in the Blue Jays organization. Over five seasons, Simon has participated in 62 games, including 10 starts, and achieved a record of 10-8 with a respectable 3.73 ERA.
The trade represents a strategic move for both teams, exchanging promising talent to bolster their respective pitching rotations.
Keyphrase: MLB trade news