Blue Jays acquire former Phillies second baseman: Report

DETROIT, MICHIGAN – JUNE 25: The Philadelphia Phillies logo is pictured on a hat during the game against the Detroit Tigers at Comerica Park on June 25, 2024 in Detroit, Michigan. (Photo by Nic Antaya/Getty Images)

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By Jackson Roberts

Contributing Sports Writer

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The Toronto Blue Jays could still have some more major signings forthcoming, but they've been handling smaller business in the last week as well.

In addition to reportedly picking up former Silver Slugger Eloy Jiménez on Sunday, the Blue Jays brought back a longtime member of their own farm system who played 123 games at the Triple-A level for the Philadelphia Phillies organization last season.

According to a Sunday report from Mike Rodríguez, a baseball reporter based in the Dominican Republic, the Blue Jays and second baseman Rafael Lantigua agreed to a minor-league contract with an invite to spring training.

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DETROIT, MICHIGAN - JUNE 25: The Philadelphia Phillies logo is pictured on a hat during the game against the Detroit Tigers at Comerica Park on June 25, 2024 in Detroit, Michigan. (Photo by Nic Antaya/Getty Images)

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Lantigua, 27, was a member of the Blue Jays' 2016 international signing class, and played 681 games in the organization before electing free agency at the end of the 2024 campaign. He stands just 5-foot-7 and has never hit more than 12 home runs in a season, but he makes a lot of contact and steals some bases here and there as well.

Though he has exclusively played at the Triple-A level for the last three seasons, Lantigua struggled to hit International League pitching last year. He slashed .230/.356/.330, racking up 77 walks but only totaling 24 extra-base hits.

Toronto's second-base position is in flux because of Bo Bichette's continued free agency, but the major league roster already has lots of options. Even with former Platinum Glove second baseman Andrés Giménez expected to stay at shortstop after a successful playoff run there, Toronto has Ernie Clement, Davis Schneider, and newcomer Kazuma Okamoto as options.

Lantigua envisioned making his major league debut with the Blue Jays for the longest time, but he won't face an easy climb up the depth chart to make it happen this year.