DETROIT -- The Blue Jays acquired right-handed reliever Chase Lee from the Tigers on Friday in exchange for lefty relief prospect Johan Simon.
For the Tigers, the move frees up a 40-man roster spot for the return of Kyle Finnegan, who agreed to a two-year contract earlier this week, pending a physical. Detroit already had a roster spot open, but that will go to right-hander Drew Anderson once his one-year contract becomes official.
TRADE DETAILS
Blue Jays get: RHP Chase Lee
Tigers get: LHP Johan Simon
For the Blue Jays, the deal brings a durable reliever with a unique look into their bullpen mix. The 27-year-old Lee, acquired by the Tigers from the Rangers in the Andrew Chafin trade at the 2024 Trade Deadline, is a sidearmer with a sharp-moving sweeper along with a sinker and a four-seam fastball.
Lee made his MLB debut in Detroit last April and pitched in 32 games, posting a 4.10 ERA and 36 strikeouts over 37 1/3 innings. He gave up seven home runs, five off his sweeper, but showed a willingness to attack the strike zone.
Lee’s debut completed an incredible journey for a pitcher who went largely unnoticed until he pitched club ball at the University of Alabama. He walked onto the Crimson Tide bullpen, posted a 1.87 ERA over three seasons and became a sixth-round Draft pick by the Rangers in 2021, along with earning an aeronautics engineering degree. He lived in an RV during the season with his wife and child while bouncing between Detroit and Triple-A Toledo. He has two Minor League options remaining.
The 24-year-old Simon was a late bloomer in the Blue Jays’ system, pitching three years in the rookie-level Florida Complex League after coming over from the Dominican Republic. He graduated to full-season Minor League ball this past season and posted a 3.42 ERA with 79 strikeouts over 71 innings in 31 appearances across three levels, culminating at Double-A New Hampshire. He’s primarily a sinker/slider pitcher who generates a high ground-ball rate.