Blue Jays Trade Eric Lauer to Dodgers

[Leo Morgenstern]

What's that line from The Dark Knight? Oh yeah, "You either die a hero or live long enough to see yourself become the villain."

Eric Lauer was a hero for the Blue Jays in 2025, pitching to a 3.18 ERA over 104.2 innings between the bullpen and the rotation. He gave the team another 8.2 innings with a 3.12 ERA in October.

While he seemed superfluous throughout most of the 2025-26 offseason, the southpaw had a spot in Toronto's Opening Day rotation. Yet, although the team's rotation depth is even thinner now than it was then, Lauer just wasn't pitching well enough to hold onto a roster spot. By the time he was designated for assignment last Monday, he had more runs (27) than strikeouts (26) on the season. He also gave up 16 walks, 38 hits, and 11 home runs in 36.1 innings. 

Yesterday, Lauer finally escaped DFA limbo when the Blue Jays announced they had traded him to the Dodgers for a player to be named later or cash considerations. According to The Athletic's Fabian Ardaya, he will take on a "reliever/swingman" role in L.A.

View full rumor

[hanton]

reports coming out of LA he's going enter the starting rotation

[Spanky__99]

5 hours ago, hanton said:

reports coming out of LA he's going enter the starting rotation

Yeah they are, must be cause of Snell, he clears up the stuff here in Toronto as well. I mean, he has to because it's not a good look.
 

 

[Brownie19]

News flash to Lauer - you're not a starting pitcher.  You're a long man who makes spot starts.  That goes for any pitcher who has an opener used in front of them.

[John_Havok]

6 hours ago, Brownie19 said:

News flash to Lauer - you're not a starting pitcher.  You're a long man who makes spot starts.  That goes for any pitcher who has an opener used in front of them.

His performance this year isn't enough of an ego check I guess.

I know all pro athletes generally have to have a healthy ego or they wouldnt make it to where they are, but when it crosses into semi-delusion it's a little alarming

[Forever92]

Jays gave up on Lauer too quick. He's been outstanding for Dodgers

[G-Snarls]

21 minutes ago, Forever92 said:

Jays gave up on Lauer too quick. He's been outstanding for Dodgers

Lauer with LAD:

 

45.2 IP 

4-0 W-L

5.1 K/9

2.4 BB/9

FIP 5.46

ERA 3.35

Opponent BA BIP - 0.211

 

Jays runs scored per game 3.92

Dodgers runs scored per game 5.15

 

Outstanding or lucky?

[Forever92]

1 hour ago, G-Snarls said:

Lauer with LAD:

 

45.2 IP 

4-0 W-L

5.1 K/9

2.4 BB/9

FIP 5.46

ERA 3.35

Opponent BA BIP - 0.211

 

Jays runs scored per game 3.92

Dodgers runs scored per game 5.15

 

Outstanding or lucky?

1.07 WHIP

[metafour]

36 minutes ago, Forever92 said:

1.07 WHIP

His WHIP is low because he has a clearly flukey BABIP of .207.

No, Eric Lauer and his 91 mph fastball is not some unhittable genius. Its just batted ball luck and good defense.

[Forever92]

On 7/28/2026 at 8:31 PM, metafour said:

His WHIP is low because he has a clearly flukey BABIP of .207.

No, Eric Lauer and his 91 mph fastball is not some unhittable genius. Its just batted ball luck and good defense.

Lauer gave up 1 hit in 6 innings yesterday against the Seattle. We should could have use that.