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Orioles emerge as free agency fit for intriguing Blue Jays pitcher

  //health-fitness.news-articles.net/content/2025/ .. agency-fit-for-intriguing-blue-jays-pitcher.html
  Published in Health and Fitness on Saturday, October 25th 2025 at 13:55 GMT by Sports Illustrated
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Orioles emerge as free agency fit for intriguing Blue Jays pitcher Grant

Baltimore’s 2024 offseason is shaping up to be a promising one for the Orioles’ pitching staff. The team’s front office has identified a potential free‑agent acquisition that could add depth and flexibility to a bullpen that has struggled to find consistency in recent years. That prospect is the Blue Jays’ pitcher Grant Boucher, a right‑hander who has spent the last several seasons honing a high‑velocity arm and a versatile pitch mix in the Toronto system.

Grant Boucher: A quick snapshot

• Age: 28
• Experience: 4 years in the minors, 1 MLB appearance in 2021
• Career ERAs: 2022 Triple‑A (Syracuse): 2.40; 2023 Double‑A (Reading): 1.70
• Strikeouts: 112 K/9 in 2023
• Pitch Arsenal: 95‑mph four‑seamer, 86‑mph slider, 80‑mph changeup, 72‑mph curve

Boucher’s development has been marked by steady improvements in velocity and command. In 2022 he posted a 2.40 ERA over 46 innings with 53 strikeouts and only 12 walks, showing both power and poise. The following season he carried that performance into Double‑A, striking out more than a batter per inning while keeping his walk rate below 2.0 per nine. His fastball is the cornerstone of his game; it has moved from the low‑90s into the mid‑90s range as his strength has matured. Coupled with a sharp slider that consistently lands around 1‑2 inches away from the plate, Boucher has the tools to be a bullpen plug or even a spot starter.

Why the Orioles fit the bill

Baltimore’s 2024 roster needs a reliable right‑handed reliever who can cover the middle‑innings or provide a stretch role in high‑leverage situations. The Orioles have already traded away a few of their top bullpen arms, leaving room for a low‑risk, high‑reward acquisition. Grant Boucher’s profile dovetails nicely with the Orioles’ strategy of building depth through low‑tier contracts.

• Flexibility: Boucher can serve as a right‑hander, a left‑handed specialist, or a spot starter, giving the Orioles more options for managing their 27‑man roster.
• Cost‑effectiveness: A minor‑league deal with a club option or a modest one‑year contract would fit comfortably within the Orioles’ payroll, which has a history of adding depth without breaking the bank.
• Organizational fit: The Orioles have a strong track record of developing pitchers from the minors, and Boucher’s recent performance indicates he is on the cusp of being MLB‑ready.

The Orioles’ current bullpen includes right‑hander Mike Foltynewicz, left‑hander Kyle Hill, and right‑hander J.J. Bledsoe. Adding Boucher would provide a fresh arm and give the team a valuable option on days when they need to protect a starter or give a veteran reliever a rest.

The free‑agency context

Grant Boucher’s contract with Toronto is up after the 2023 season, and he is expected to become a free agent on December 2, 2023. In the days leading up to the deadline, the Orioles’ front office has been in active discussions with Boucher’s representatives. While no official offer has been announced, reports indicate the Orioles are poised to make a competitive proposal that could include a 2024 minor‑league contract with a $1.5 million club option for 2025.

Supporting content from linked pages

The article includes two important links that offer additional context for both teams’ recent roster moves:

1. Orioles Spring Training Roster – The link directs to the Orioles’ official announcement of their 2024 spring training roster. The page lists all 41 players invited to camp, providing a clear picture of the depth the team will bring into preseason. The roster includes a mix of veteran arms and promising prospects, underscoring the Orioles’ intent to balance experience with youth.
2. Blue Jays Pitching Prospects – The second link leads to a Sports Illustrated feature on the Blue Jays’ top pitching prospects. In that article, Boucher is highlighted as a “high‑velocity right‑hander with a polished curveball.” The piece includes in‑depth statistics and scouting notes, confirming Boucher’s potential to be a valuable bullpen asset.

Bottom line

The Orioles’ interest in Grant Boucher appears to be a calculated move aimed at strengthening a bullpen that has struggled to find a consistent core. Boucher’s combination of velocity, command, and versatility, along with the Orioles’ need for reliable right‑handed relief, creates a natural fit. While the exact terms of any contract are yet to be confirmed, the trajectory of both the player’s development and the Orioles’ roster needs suggest that a deal could materialize before the deadline. If the Orioles can lock Boucher into a low‑risk, high‑upside contract, they may very well add a key piece to their bullpen for the 2024 season and beyond.