Additionally, Tommy Nance will be out of option years in 2026. That will cause some problems.
The 2025 season was one that flew very much under the radar for the 34-year-old. Before the season started, he was designated for assignment because he was out of option years, but no team picked him up. Nance was again added to the 40-man roster and was called up to the big league roster in mid-July last season.
Over the course of 31.2 innings pitched, Nance posted a 1.99 ERA. Was it a product of the defense behind him? Probably not, as Nance’s FIP of 1.87 was even lower. That was due to not allowing a home run while walking seven (5.6 BB%) and striking out 32 (25.4%).
However, there are levels for an ERA below 2.00. Last season, Rogers had a 1.98 ERA and 2.88 FIP in 77.1 innings pitched. Not only did the submarine launcher do it over a much larger sample size, it also did it in higher pressure situations. Rogers finished with 32 holds, with only two saves, and of the 77.1 innings pitched, 15 were considered high-leverage.
All but 7.2 of the innings Nance threw had low leverage. In his three innings of high leverage, Nance gave up two earned runs, and four total. Doesn’t that give Nance value? Absolutely not, every team needs a reliever who can throw at the drop of a hat in low leverage situations. But he’s lower than guys like Fisher and Varland in the circle of trust.
As good as Nance performed in 2025, making the Blue Jays’ Opening Day roster an uphill battle for the 34-year-old solely due to his lack of options. He will either have to outplay option players like Fisher or Little or injuries will have to happen. Unlike last season, Nance would go on waivers if he is designated for assignment, so that is not a choice for the Blue Jays.
Either way, it will be interesting to see what happens with Nance in late March.
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