2 Blue Jays Head To Japan for 2022

 

Unable to break into consistent playing time in the majors, two ex-Toronto Blue Jays have made their way to Japan to become teammates. 

Breyvic Valera has signed with the Orix Buffaloes in Japan. Deal guarantees him $1M. Valera is a client of The MAS+ Agency.

— Jon Heyman (@JonHeyman) December 17, 2021

Breyvic Valera has had strong minor league numbers throughout his career, but has bounced between five different big league teams in the past five years, including a 39-game stint with the Blue Jays in 2021. The 29-year-old batted .253 with a .669 OPS for Toronto, but was a valuable defensive utilityman. 

In AAA, Valera has compiled a much more respectable .303 average, with an .820 OPS over the past few years. 

Joining Valera with the Orix Buffaloes will be former Jays pitcher Jacob Waguespack. He spent 2021 in the minors at Buffalo (yes, he's going from Buffalo, NY to the Buffaloes of Orix). 

The 28-year-old righty compiled a strong season in '21, going 7-2 with a 2.86 ERA, though his major league numbers in 2019-20 with Toronto were not as promising (5.08 ERA). 

Jesse Biddle, another former major leaguer who's compiled an ERA north of 5, is also joining the Buffaloes. 

Photo Credit: Kevin Sousa-USA TODAY Sports