Pitcher Gives Surprising Reason for Leaving Blue Jays for White Sox

In a surprising turn of events during this offseason, Seranthony Dominguez, a key reliever for the Toronto Blue Jays last season, opted to sign a two-year, $20 million contract with the Chicago White Sox. The move comes after a relatively successful stint in Toronto, where Dominguez was acquired at the trade deadline to bolster the bullpen, especially during the team’s playoff push. While his time with the Blue Jays was marked by a strong postseason performance, Dominguez expressed a desire to leave Toronto for a fresh start, explaining that his motivation for the move was rooted in one key factor: winning.

Why Dominguez Left the Blue Jays

Dominguez, who went 2-1 with a 3.00 ERA in 24 games with Toronto during the 2025 season, had a solid playoff run with the team. In 12 postseason appearances, he was 2-0 with a 3.18 ERA. Despite his individual success, Dominguez did not feel that his time with Toronto had fulfilled his career aspirations. The Blue Jays, although competitive, fell short of their ultimate goal when they lost in Game 7 of the World Series, and Dominguez found himself yearning for a championship.

Reflecting on his decision to leave the Blue Jays, Dominguez stated: “It was really good for me. I’ve been there twice and unfortunately I lost twice … I feel like I’m still missing something because I didn’t win. I hope to erase that with the White Sox.” His decision clearly stems from a desire to win a World Series, and he sees the White Sox as a team that can help him achieve that goal.

Dominguez’s New Role with the White Sox

With Dominguez now in Chicago, the White Sox are looking at him as their new closer. Manager Will Venable confirmed the team’s intentions, saying, “He’s gonna be finishing a lot of games for us. I think that’s clear. We definitely view him as somebody that is going to lock us down at the back end of games.”

Dominguez is ready to take on the challenge, and his excitement about his new role is evident. “If you ask any reliever if they want to close a game, of course they are going to say yes,” Dominguez said. “In my case, it’s no different. I want to be the closer forever. That’s why I’ve been working hard to get the opportunity.”

Dominguez’s career save record stands at 40-for-60, so he’s proven himself as a capable high-leverage reliever. The move to closer is a natural progression in his career, and with the White Sox, he’ll have a chance to shine in the spotlight at the end of games.

The Blue Jays’ Response: Signing Tyler Rogers

While Dominguez made his exit from the Blue Jays, the team was quick to fill the void left by his departure. Toronto moved swiftly to sign Tyler Rogers, a reliable reliever, to a three-year, $37 million contract. Rogers comes with a solid reputation and was eager to join the Blue Jays, stating, “When the American League champs give you a phone call, you kind of perk up and get excited about that. This is a team that was really close to winning the World Series. That right there is a great start.”

Rogers is expected to play a key role in Toronto’s bullpen as a setup man, working alongside Yimi Garcia and Louis Varland. Jeff Hoffman is projected to remain the closer for the Blue Jays, but Rogers will be an essential piece in the setup role as Toronto aims to make another postseason run in 2026.

The Impact of Dominguez’s Departure

While Dominguez’s move to the White Sox might seem like a surprise to some, it aligns with his long-term goal of winning a championship. For the White Sox, Dominguez brings a wealth of experience, and they are betting on his ability to thrive in the closer role. For the Blue Jays, losing Dominguez means a shift in their bullpen composition, but the addition of Rogers should help to maintain the strength of their relief staff.

As for Dominguez, this move gives him a fresh start with a new team that shares his ambitions for success. If he can lead the White Sox to playoff glory and possibly even a World Series, his decision to leave Toronto could prove to be a pivotal moment in his career. For now, it’s clear that Dominguez is focused on one thing: winning.