Offseason Roster Thread 2025-26

[Spanky__99]

2 hours ago, max silver said:

I would be completely surprised if the Blue Jays managed to ship out a couple of bad value contracts for a cost controlled superstar.

Yeah, that ain't happening, they want to shed payroll. And it would involve a lot more than that.

[G-Snarls]

2 hours ago, Stangstag said:

People also not realizing Bo and Tucker project to be very similar players next season, if the gap is 100 million we should just stick with Bo.

Agree 

Though it's also looking at what your alternative is at 2B vs OF.  

[Joltin Joe]

5 hours ago, Stangstag said:

People also not realizing Bo and Tucker project to be very similar players next season, if the gap is 100 million we should just stick with Bo.

If we could move the Berrios and Sandandar contracts we would have enough to sign Tucker 

[jaysblue]

If the Jays dump Berrios (which is highly unlikely given his contract), then posters on here will be saying there isn't enough depth for the rotation 😅

Not going to be a Negative Nancy, but Gausman did pitch 220 innings last season (including Postseason), is a year older and at times during the regular season looked meh. Bieber is still returning from missing a lot of time, so Jays will be cautious with him. Yesavage will definitely have his workload monitored and who knows if a sophomore slump is incoming. Ponce is coming from the KBO so we'll see how he adjusts back in the MLB, and Lauer can probably be relied on for just 10-15 effective starts. Not all of these are going to happen all together, but possibly one or two could. 

Gausman, Cease, Bieber, Yesavage, Ponce, Berrios, Lauer, and Tiedemann make you 8 starters deep and is definitely nice depth to have over the course of a 162 game season.

The Ponce signing feels so good in that it stretches out the rest of the rotation in case of an extended injury or another arm struggles. Plus, not having to rely on Berrios right from the start as a No. 5 before ST. We'll see how things play out in Dunedin. Ponce at $10M AAV is also really nice since you weren't going to be able to sign a Bassitt or Scherzer at that amount. Ponce could also go back and forth between the rotation and pen throughout the season if need be. 

 

[jaysblue]

8 hours ago, Orgfiller said:

Already with Ponce I don’t see how Berrios and his contract sticks around. You add a major piece like Tucker and then a guy like Straw is getting traded for a ham sandwich, or potentially even attached with a prospect. I don’t think we’re going all Steve Cohen with the luxury tax budget, so adding these dollars is going to come at the cost of trading some of our expensive depth potentially alongside prospects to make the numbers work.

I agree, but which team is going to take on Berrios and his contract? Jays likely need to be taking money back in any deal, unless they trade Berrios away with prospects.

[Eat My Shatkins]

I wonder if there is any juice left to squeeze out of Bowden Francis as a starter? 

Maybe they plan on using him in a bullpen role once again.

[Pendleton]

8 minutes ago, jaysblue said:

If the Jays dump Berrios (which is highly unlikely given his contract), then posters on here will be saying there isn't enough depth for the rotation 😅

Not going to be a Negative Nancy, but Gausman did pitch 220 innings last season (including Postseason), is a year older and at times during the regular season looked meh. Bieber is still returning from missing a lot of time, so Jays will be cautious with him. Yesavage will definitely have his workload monitored and who knows if a sophomore slump is incoming. Ponce is coming from the KBO so we'll see how he adjusts back in the MLB, and Lauer can probably be relied on for just 10-15 effective starts. Not all of these are going to happen all together, but possibly one or two could. 

Gausman, Cease, Bieber, Yesavage, Ponce, Berrios, Lauer, and Tiedemann make you 8 starters deep and is definitely nice depth to have over the course of a 162 game season.

The Ponce signing feels so good in that it stretches out the rest of the rotation in case of an extended injury or another arm struggles. Plus, not having to rely on Berrios right from the start as a No. 5 before ST. We'll see how things play out in Dunedin. Ponce at $10M AAV is also really nice since you weren't going to be able to sign a Bassitt or Scherzer at that amount. Ponce could also go back and forth between the rotation and pen throughout the season if need be. 

 

I like the idea of signing one of the old dudes (Max/Bassitt) for a swingman role for extra SP depth. 

[jmomcc]

15 minutes ago, Eat My Shatkins said:

I wonder if there is any juice left to squeeze out of Bowden Francis as a starter? 

Maybe they plan on using him in a bullpen role once again.

He has an option left so worst case he's triple A depth all year. 

[glory]

If the Jays thought Straw’s contract was worth absorbing at $11M over 2 years (even if it was at least partially for Sasaki) a year ago when he looked like he’d never see the Majors again, then he probably looks like surplus value to them now after how he performed in 2025. I don’t think he’s traded. I wouldn’t be shocked if he turns into a pumpkin again in 2026, though.

My guess is that, if money becomes an issue, then they’ll try to move Rodriguez and possibly Santander in addition to Berrios. As I said before I really don’t see how Tony fits on this roster anymore if the DH spot is going to go to Springer. The Jays value defense more than any team in the league.

[jmomcc]

5 minutes ago, glory said:

If the Jays thought Straw’s contract was worth absorbing at $11M over 2 years (even if it was at least partially for Sasaki) a year ago when he looked like he’d never see the Majors again, then he probably looks like surplus value to them now after how he performed in 2025. I don’t think he’s traded. I wouldn’t be shocked if he turns into a pumpkin again in 2026, though.

My guess is that, if money becomes an issue, then they’ll try to move Rodriguez and possibly Santander in addition to Berrios. As I said before I really don’t see how Tony fits on this roster anymore if the DH spot is going to go to Springer. The Jays value defense more than any team in the league.

I personally would just keep santander but if we ate some portion of the deferred money, his contract is easily tradeable imo. 

[Eat My Shatkins]

If the Jays are able to sign Tucker I could certainly see them absorbing some of Santanders contract and moving him. 

 

But I also could see them keeping him and moving him into a full time DH role starting in 2027 after George is gone.

[mphenhef]

1 hour ago, glory said:

If the Jays thought Straw’s contract was worth absorbing at $11M over 2 years (even if it was at least partially for Sasaki) a year ago when he looked like he’d never see the Majors again, then he probably looks like surplus value to them now after how he performed in 2025. I don’t think he’s traded. I wouldn’t be shocked if he turns into a pumpkin again in 2026, though.

My guess is that, if money becomes an issue, then they’ll try to move Rodriguez and possibly Santander in addition to Berrios. As I said before I really don’t see how Tony fits on this roster anymore if the DH spot is going to go to Springer. The Jays value defense more than any team in the league.

Agree with this.  To a fault the Jays players talked about how important Straw was in the clubhouse too.

[Sorrow]

1 hour ago, glory said:

If the Jays thought Straw’s contract was worth absorbing at $11M over 2 years (even if it was at least partially for Sasaki) a year ago when he looked like he’d never see the Majors again, then he probably looks like surplus value to them now after how he performed in 2025. I don’t think he’s traded. I wouldn’t be shocked if he turns into a pumpkin again in 2026, though.

My guess is that, if money becomes an issue, then they’ll try to move Rodriguez and possibly Santander in addition to Berrios. As I said before I really don’t see how Tony fits on this roster anymore if the DH spot is going to go to Springer. The Jays value defense more than any team in the league.

Santander is a bad fielder but if you keep Straw and Lukes as your backup OFs you just sub him out in the 7th or 8th. Santander is a better defender than Springer is over the past few seasons so if the bat bounces back I think you live with below average LF D for a season before he becomes the DH.

 

I don’t see them trading Straw. He’s the only legit backup CF on the roster. I think we see a Loperfido or Lukes trade before we see a Straw trade.

 

I do think we will see Berrios traded and I think Rodriguez will be as well. If the Jays throw in 15m or 5/season it may entice a team that thinks he could be solid trade bait at the deadline to trade for him, or a team like the Angels who need arms.

[Stangstag]

8 hours ago, G-Snarls said:

Agree 

Though it's also looking at what your alternative is at 2B vs OF.  

The alternative is the same. Barger/Schneider in a corner OF spot vs playing them in the IF instead 

[Stangstag]

3 hours ago, Pendleton said:

I like the idea of signing one of the old dudes (Max/Bassitt) for a swingman role for extra SP depth. 

I don’t understand this. We don’t need another depth starter at this point. Would be a waste of money 

[Stangstag]

2 hours ago, glory said:

If the Jays thought Straw’s contract was worth absorbing at $11M over 2 years (even if it was at least partially for Sasaki) a year ago when he looked like he’d never see the Majors again, then he probably looks like surplus value to them now after how he performed in 2025. I don’t think he’s traded. I wouldn’t be shocked if he turns into a pumpkin again in 2026, though.

My guess is that, if money becomes an issue, then they’ll try to move Rodriguez and possibly Santander in addition to Berrios. As I said before I really don’t see how Tony fits on this roster anymore if the DH spot is going to go to Springer. The Jays value defense more than any team in the league.

Santander fits on this roster as an OF for 2026 and a DH going forward. Springer may not be any good next year anyways and he’s gone after 2026. 

Not hard to understand.

[Eat My Shatkins]

I'm interested to see how Rodriguez, Little and Fisher fare in 2026. All three started strong and faded to varying degrees later in the season, and then we're basically useless in the playoffs. Sure would be nice of they all found another gear going forward.

 

I'm thinking barring injury or a trade Lauer and Ponce will be long men and spot starters to start the season.

Ease Ponce in as a mutli inning reliever and occasional starter to keep guys more rested, and if he performs he's pretty much guaranteed a starter spot in 2027 and 2028.

[Pendleton]

23 minutes ago, Stangstag said:

I don’t understand this. We don’t need another depth starter at this point. Would be a waste of money 

We don't at this point, but could at some juncture and would be glad to have a proven vet starter around over calling up a gas can. Bassitt has shown he can be an effective RP and provides the flexibility to fill innings as needed. Could turn out to be invaluable if we run into a couple injuries. 

[Brownie19]

40 minutes ago, Eat My Shatkins said:

I'm interested to see how Rodriguez, Little and Fisher fare in 2026. All three started strong and faded to varying degrees later in the season, and then we're basically useless in the playoffs. Sure would be nice of they all found another gear going forward.

I'm thinking barring injury or a trade Lauer and Ponce will be long men and spot starters to start the season.

Ease Ponce in as a mutli inning reliever and occasional starter to keep guys more rested, and if he performs he's pretty much guaranteed a starter spot in 2027 and 2028.

I have to assume that part of the negotiation with Ponce was that he'd be given a spot in the rotation.  He's going to want his shot and I think it's doubtful he'd sign with a team that wouldn't guarantee he gets his fair shot.  

I'd like to think there's a possibility that we added the 3rd year and extra $10M in exchange for the ability to use him as a swing man - but I just can't see that happening.

[Brownie19]

32 minutes ago, Pendleton said:

We don't at this point, but could at some juncture and would be glad to have a proven vet starter around over calling up a gas can. Bassitt has shown he can be an effective RP and provides the flexibility to fill innings as needed. Could turn out to be invaluable if we run into a couple injuries. 

I LOVE what Bassitt did in the playoffs for this team, but his effectiveness out of the bullpen may not be quite as strong when his adrenaline isn't max tiddies like it was in the playoffs.

I'd love to keep Bassitt - but it feels like we're running short on roster spots unfortunately.

[glory]

1 hour ago, Sorrow said:

Santander is a bad fielder but if you keep Straw and Lukes as your backup OFs you just sub him out in the 7th or 8th. Santander is a better defender than Springer is over the past few seasons so if the bat bounces back I think you live with below average LF D for a season before he becomes the DH.

 

I don’t see them trading Straw. He’s the only legit backup CF on the roster. I think we see a Loperfido or Lukes trade before we see a Straw trade.

 

I do think we will see Berrios traded and I think Rodriguez will be as well. If the Jays throw in 15m or 5/season it may entice a team that thinks he could be solid trade bait at the deadline to trade for him, or a team like the Angels who need arms.

If they re-sign Bo, and the OF corners are Santander and Barger, then that’s pretty bad defensively. Maybe they do go that route and strategically make defensive subs late in games (although doing that probably cost them the WS looking at games 3 and 7) but a team that values defense as heavily as the Jays would have to make some concessions to their thought process to go with that alignment. They literally started IKF at 2B in World Series because they valued whatever incremental defensive improvement it provided over starting DS. 

Will be interesting to see what they do. Barger at 3B and a new OF (Tucker) probably makes more sense.

[The_DH]

Barger will hit 40 hr one day soon so all that matters is that he gets the ABs.

[abola2121]

1 hour ago, glory said:

If they re-sign Bo, and the OF corners are Santander and Barger, then that’s pretty bad defensively. Maybe they do go that route and strategically make defensive subs late in games (although doing that probably cost them the WS looking at games 3 and 7) but a team that values defense as heavily as the Jays would have to make some concessions to their thought process to go with that alignment. They literally started IKF at 2B in World Series because they valued whatever incremental defensive improvement it provided over starting DS. 

Will be interesting to see what they do. Barger at 3B and a new OF (Tucker) probably makes more sense.

Isn't Barger a better corner outfielder than third baseman though?

[Sorrow]

3 minutes ago, abola2121 said:

Isn't Barger a better corner outfielder than third baseman though?

No he’s an averagish defender at 3rd and below average to bad in RF.

[Laika]

13 minutes ago, abola2121 said:

Isn't Barger a better corner outfielder than third baseman though?

TBD

Career -5 OF by OAA in 642 innings, -6 3B in 869 innings

tbh the Jays might want to stop jerking him around so he can get full time reps in either spot and actually improve 

personally I would want him to try 3B first, since it's a harder position to fill and he runs a bit too heavy to ever be a mint outfielder IMO 

[abola2121]

18 minutes ago, Sorrow said:

No he’s an averagish defender at 3rd and below average to bad in RF.

If Bo does re-sign, what do you think of dealing Barger for a high leverage BP arm and to make room for Loperfido in the OF?

[Brownie19]

2 minutes ago, abola2121 said:

If Bo does re-sign, what you think of dealing Barger for a high leverage BP arm and to make room for Loperfido in the OF?

I hate this idea more than life itself.

[Brownie19]

9 minutes ago, Laika said:

TBD

Career -5 OF by OAA in 642 innings, -6 3B in 869 innings

tbh the Jays might want to stop jerking him around so he can get full time reps in either spot and actually improve 

personally I would want him to try 3B first, since it's a harder position to fill and he runs a bit too heavy to ever be a mint outfielder IMO 

Agree with this.

[abola2121]

1 minute ago, Brownie19 said:

I hate this idea more than life itself.

[Terminator]

I think a lot of the criticism of Barger’s defense comes from his rookie year when he looked overwhelmed.

But he settled in during Year 2 and his defense was totally fine at both spots. His overall Run Value was 0 (-4 range, +4 arm).

So I don't think it's fair to say that our corner outfield defense would be bad if it's Taters/Barger out there. It's more accurate to say that our LF defense would be bad (but Taters is better in the field than you think!).