Blue Jays sign Ponce to three-year, $30-million deal

The Toronto Blue Jays have signed right-hander Cody Ponce, who was the MVP of the Korea Baseball Organization (KBO) last season. Photo: Instagram

December 3, 2025

By Kevin Glew

Canadian Baseball Network

The Toronto Blue Jays have signed right-hander Cody Ponce, who was the MVP of the Korea Baseball Organization (KBO) last season, to a three-year, $30-million contract

Ken Rosenthal, of The Athletic, was the first to report the deal, which is pending a physical.

The 31-year-old Ponce went 17-1 with a 1.89 ERA, while fanning 252 batters in 180 2/3 innings, in 29 starts for the KBO’s Hanwha Eagles in 2025.

Everything came together for the veteran righty in his fourth season pitching overseas. In the previous three campaigns, he had toed the rubber in the Japan Pacific League for the Nippon Ham Fighters (2022, 2023) and the Rakuten Golden Eagles (2024).

Born in Pomona, Calif., in 1994, the 6-foot-6, 255-pound hurler was originally selected in the second round of the 2015 MLB draft by the Milwaukee Brewers. He spent five seasons in the Brewers’ organization, advancing as high as triple-A prior to being dealt to the Pittsburgh Pirates on July 29, 2019 for Jordan Lyles.

Ponce made his big league debut with the Pirates in 2020 and posted a 3.18 ERA in five appearances (three starts). He returned to the Pirates in 2021 but was hit hard, finishing 0-6 with a 7.04 ERA in 15 outings (two starts). The Pirates released him that November.

Though Ponce was a dominant starter in 2025, he does have experience as a reliever. This should give the Blue Jays some flexibility with him.

Heading into 2026, the Blue Jays’ starting rotation seems crowded. Veterans Kevin Gausman, Dylan Cease, Shane Bieber and Jose Berrios will likely get the ball every fifth day, while youngster Trey Yesavage, who was so good in the post-season, will also be in the mix along with left-hander Eric Lauer and right-hander Bowden Francis.