Offseason Roster Thread 2025-26

[Spanky__99]

9 hours ago, Governator said:

I mean.... they went for the better player and had cash to spend.  There's also a chance Bo was checked out of Toronto long ago.

How could he not take that, lol? Another good season and he's a FA again next year and he pockets 47M. Crazy money. As you said, good for Bo.

[Spanky__99]

9 hours ago, G-Snarls said:

Well it's a sad day 

Indeed. 😓

[Jays24]

The Tucker news sucked but the Bo news was a punch to the gut.  I dont blame either for taking the deals they got since it seems to maximize their earning potential.  

Just sucks the massive hole Bo leaves in the top of our lineup.  Not sure who but I really hope we can add someone to fill that.  

[G-Snarls]

[Jays24]

Reds' De La Cruz rejected extension worth more than $225M

https://thescore.com/mlb/news/3457434

Get 'er done!!

[Spanky__99]

7 hours ago, Jimcanuck said:

Bad time for this, but I was right.

Now let's get Framber.  I don't care about his rumoured attitude problem.  He's an SP anyway, those guys are off in their own little world, not like the position guys.  Spanky's a pitcher.

 

[Blue balls]

As much as I'm disappointed we didn't get Tucker or Bichette, I'm very happy with the FO this winter. Unlike 2024 and 2025, they didn't wait for the top FA to sign before making a move. They got a top pitcher right off the bat and then got solid RP and SP depth with potential for more. They also got what looks like a solid bat in Okamoto. This actual lineup is still very good. 

I'm still hoping they can sign Bellinger but pretty sure he will stay with the Yankees. After that, unless they can make a trade for a good SS/2B/OF (Preferably an OF), I would start the season as is and adjust through the season or at the deadline. There will be good players to trade for once teams are out of the wild card race.

[saskjayfan]

The offseason is done.  There's not much left to do.  In hindsight, I just wish they would have signed Helsley. 

I think we will have 5 starters with sub 4 ERAs.  I've never felt so good about our rotation.  Bit of worry about Bieber's health, but i guess that's why we haven't traded Berrios.

Mid season when it becomes obvious to Texas that they can't compete with the surging Las Vegas As and they need to do a teardown we can trade Gimenez and our most of our farm for Seager.

[jaysblue]

The offseason isn’t over, and I still think the Jays add a bat either through free agency or a trade.

As things stand right now, I’d give them a B+ for the offseason. If they’re able to land a true impact bat, that would push it into A+ territory for me. 

If they were able to sign Tucker or bring Bo back on top of the earlier moves they made, that would’ve been an A+ offseason in my books.

[max silver]

13 hours ago, L54 said:

Ya but that’s not predictive so I’m not worried about that. So many variables 

Sure it's not predictive but the next solid bat Atkins acquires at the trade deadline will be the first one in his 10+ years as GM of the team. Every offseason there's chatter about how the team can add a bat at the deadline if needed and this has yet to actually occur.

[saskjayfan]

7 minutes ago, max silver said:

Sure it's not predictive but the next solid bat Atkins acquires at the trade deadline will be the first one in his 10+ years as GM of the team. Every offseason there's chatter about how the team can add a bat at the deadline if needed and this has yet to actually occur.

We have added impact pitching.  It depends what you need. We added an impact starter in Bieber who won critical games in the ALCS and the world series. 

 

 

[max silver]

2 minutes ago, saskjayfan said:

We have added impact pitching.  It depends what you need. We added an impact starter in Bieber who won critical games in the ALCS and the world series. 

 

 

Yeah Atkins has done a very good job adding pitching to the roster at the deadline, although last season's failure to add a 1B closer type certainly bit the team in the ass eventually.

[saskjayfan]

9 minutes ago, max silver said:

Yeah Atkins has done a very good job adding pitching to the roster at the deadline, although last season's failure to add a 1B closer type certainly bit the team in the ass eventually.

Yeah, I feel uneasy about the closer position.  I think if they knew they weren't getting one of Bo or Tucker, they would have nabbed Helsley. 

[jerb]

 

[Governator]

3 minutes ago, jerb said:

 

 

Cannot be disappointed in how it played out except just give the Dodgers the finger.

[jaysblue]

There are still some interesting free agents available.

Obviously Bellinger stands out, though he’s likely looking at a similar structure to Bichette - a short-term deal with a high AAV - so that’s probably the expectation if they go that route.

Suarez is also still available and could be a solid alternative as a power bat. He’s capable of providing 3–4 WAR, is somewhat underrated, and could likely be had on a one- or two-year deal without a crazy AAV. In that scenario, Okamoto would play mostly in left field.

Luis Arraez would be an excellent on-base bat at the top of the lineup, though there isn’t a clear defensive fit. You definitely wouldn’t want him playing second base.

As mentioned yesterday, the Jays could also look to add another arm via free agency to boost overall team WAR. That would likely require either trading one of their current pitchers or moving to a six-man rotation. There are still plenty of arms available - Framber, Giolito, Gallen, Bassitt, Scherzer, Verlander, etc. - though it’s hard to see this happening unless the Jays trade an arm or someone like Scherzer or Bassitt is open to a hybrid rotation/relief role, or if Scherzer signs with the understanding he’ll pitch only part of the season.

Otherwise, they’d have to go the trade route.

[Laika]

No off-season grade for Toronto other than an A makes sense

This was probably the best off-season ever for the franchise. Big signings and value signings and big international signings and most importantly nothing desperate. 

[Sorrow]

10/$350 was a good offer. I don’t think I’d have wanted Tucker at 50-60. I’d be open to Bellinger on a 6-7 year deal if the AAV was in the low 30s but I don’t think that’s going to be the case with how this winter has gone.

Yes a lot of 2025 was the short porch but he also hit to a 120 wRC+ on the road in 23-24. He fills a need of an OF under contract beyond this season as well and the positional versatility helps with all the moving parts the roster has.

Unless Acuna doesn’t get his options picked up the best free agent OF in the next few winters is Varsho.

I also wouldn’t be surprised if Atkins and Co. are cooking up a trade for an OF.

[jaysblue]

13 minutes ago, jerb said:

 

Yeah, it really shows the Jays are serious about getting back to the World Series and committed to adding another impact bat. That’s great to see.

It’s also why I don’t think they’re done. Whether it’s exploring the remaining free-agent options like Bellinger or Suarez, or pivoting to the trade market, it still feels like they’re intent on adding impact offense. Otherwise, they wouldn’t have gone to the lengths they did to try to land Tucker.

[saskjayfan]

6 minutes ago, jaysblue said:

There are still some interesting free agents available.

Obviously Bellinger stands out, though he’s likely looking at a similar structure to Bichette - a short-term deal with a high AAV - so that’s probably the expectation if they go that route.

Suarez is also still available and could be a solid alternative as a power bat. He’s capable of providing 3–4 WAR, is somewhat underrated, and could likely be had on a one- or two-year deal without a crazy AAV. In that scenario, Okamoto would play mostly in left field.

Luis Arraez would be an excellent on-base bat at the top of the lineup, though there isn’t a clear defensive fit. You definitely wouldn’t want him playing second base.

As mentioned yesterday, the Jays could also look to add another arm via free agency to boost overall team WAR. That would likely require either trading one of their current pitchers or moving to a six-man rotation. There are still plenty of arms available - Framber, Giolito, Gallen, Bassitt, Scherzer, Verlander, etc. - though it’s hard to see this happening unless the Jays trade an arm or someone like Scherzer or Bassitt is open to a hybrid rotation/relief role, or if Scherzer signs with the understanding he’ll pitch only part of the season.

Otherwise, they’d have to go the trade route.

You're taking playing time away from Barger or Santander in that scenario.  Santander and Suarez are similar guys.  We just need Santander to rebound and be the guy he was going into free agency.  

We need to upgrade significantly at a position.  That comes with a mid season.  Trade Giminez plus cash plus prospects acquire Seager when they are 5 games under .500.  When your 2 best pitchers are injury prone and late 30s that requires a teardown.  The A's will have Kurtz, Soderstrom, Langeliers, Rooker, Wilson and De Vries joining in 27.  That's a scary core.  The Las Vegas As will have money to add starting pitching to support that core.  

[jaysblue]

4 minutes ago, Laika said:

No off-season grade for Toronto other than an A makes sense

This was probably the best off-season ever for the franchise. Big signings and value signings and big international signings and most importantly nothing desperate. 

I’d revise my grade to an A- if things stand as they are, and an A+ if they’re able to add another impact bat. Either way, it’s been a tremendous offseason so far.

Would I call it the best offseason in franchise history? That’s tougher.

The 2005/06 offseason - signing Burnett, Ryan and Molina and trading for Glaus and Overbay - felt massive at the time, especially given how constrained the team had been financially in the years prior.

The 2014/15 offseason, with the signing of Russell Martin and the acquisition of Josh Donaldson, was another landmark stretch.

And the 2021/22 offseason - bringing in Kevin Gausman and trading for Matt Chapman - would also rank very high for me.

This offseason absolutely belongs in that conversation, and depending on what happens next, it could climb even higher.

[rydermike]

Can't fault the Jays. There's a difference between overpaying and stupid overpaying. The Jays are willing to do the former to an extent, but stupid overpaying is too much and can't blame them 

[jaysblue]

6 minutes ago, saskjayfan said:

You're taking playing time away from Barger or Santander in that scenario.  Santander and Suarez are similar guys.  We just need Santander to rebound and be the guy he was going into free agency.  

We need to upgrade significantly at a position.  That comes with a mid season.  Trade Giminez plus cash plus prospects acquire Seager when they are 5 games under .500.  When your 2 best pitchers are injury prone and late 30s that requires a teardown.  The A's will have Kurtz, Soderstrom, Langeliers, Rooker, Wilson and De Vries joining in 27.  That's a scary core.  The Las Vegas As will have money to add starting pitching to support that core.  

Over a full season, playing time always gets redistributed through injuries, matchups, and regression. Adding another bat is more about raising the floor and reducing how much you have to rely on bounce-backs. Never mentioned about taking playing time away from Barger. 

Santander and Suarez may be similar offensive profiles, but banking on Santander fully rebounding to his pre-FA level is still a projection, not a certainty. Depth matters precisely because not every rebound actually happens. Suarez has actually been a 3-4 WAR guy every season, whereas Santander is mostly a 2ish WAR guy. 

As for the midseason trade idea, I get the appeal, but that assumes a lot going right: another team falling out early, being willing to move a true impact player, and the Jays being comfortable paying a massive prospect and cash price at the deadline. Those deals are rare and usually cost more than expected.

[L54]

I actually assumed 10/350 would get him and that with some deferred cash it might be like 32M a year 

With all the talk about how his market had dried up, nobody wanted to pay him, contract might start with a 2 (lol) blah blah blah it sure shows that nobody in media actually has a clue

[L54]

I don’t think they’re bringing in another bat to crowd an already crowded situation 

the two exceptions were Kyle Tucker and Bo 

 

[max silver]

10 minutes ago, jaysblue said:

Yeah, it really shows the Jays are serious about getting back to the World Series and committed to adding another impact bat. That’s great to see.

It’s also why I don’t think they’re done. Whether it’s exploring the remaining free-agent options like Bellinger or Suarez, or pivoting to the trade market, it still feels like they’re intent on adding impact offense. Otherwise, they wouldn’t have gone to the lengths they did to try to land Tucker.

Another bat would be like the icing on the cake for a tremendous offseason. I think Bellinger certainly fits into the existing roster very nicely but I have reservations about his ability to yet again outperform his mediocre expected statistics to the same degree. I recall years ago he purposely slowed his swing down in order to make more consistent contact and perhaps Popkins and the Blue Jays hitting group could help him to unlock a little higher swing speed when he receives a pitch he wants to unload on. I have a hard time seeing a fit for Suarez as I don't expect Okamoto is anything other than an emergency option in left field as he's barely played the position professionally. The team already has a bit of a logjam at third base with all of Barger, Okamoto and Clement likely to receive reps over there, and Suarez had a tough season with the glove and appears to be declining defensively pretty quickly.

[saskjayfan]

4 minutes ago, jaysblue said:

Over a full season, playing time always gets redistributed through injuries, matchups, and regression. Adding another bat is more about raising the floor and reducing how much you have to rely on bounce-backs. Never mentioned about taking playing time away from Barger. 

Santander and Suarez may be similar offensive profiles, but banking on Santander fully rebounding to his pre-FA level is still a projection, not a certainty. Depth matters precisely because not every rebound actually happens. Suarez has actually been a 3-4 WAR guy every season, whereas Santander is mostly a 2ish WAR guy. 

As for the midseason trade idea, I get the appeal, but that assumes a lot going right: another team falling out early, being willing to move a true impact player, and the Jays being comfortable paying a massive prospect and cash price at the deadline. Those deals are rare and usually cost more than expected.

I mean, I don't hate the idea.  I like only having to commit 2 years.  I'd be good either way.  Sign him, or trust and roll with the guys you have and save dry powder for the trade deadline.  I like Schneider's bat more than most though.  I think him platooning starting against lefties.  Sitting Gimenez against lefties.  

[Jays24]

Ultimately we lost Bo, Bassitt, Scherzer and Dominguez and added Cease, Ponce, Okamoto and Rogers from last year's team.  We got much better SP wise but still dont have a closer and we got worse hitting wise.  

We definitely increased our floor with elite depth but feel like our ceiling isnt higher yet overall.  Also lost some key clubhouse guys that helped shape the power of friendship theme for us.  

[gruber9292]

1 hour ago, saskjayfan said:

The offseason is done.  There's not much left to do.  In hindsight, I just wish they would have signed Helsley. 

I think we will have 5 starters with sub 4 ERAs.  I've never felt so good about our rotation.  Bit of worry about Bieber's health, but i guess that's why we haven't traded Berrios.

Mid season when it becomes obvious to Texas that they can't compete with the surging Las Vegas As and they need to do a teardown we can trade Gimenez and our most of our farm for Seager.

We already have a younger cheaper version of Seager with Jojo 

[glory]

Adding an outfielder involves moving parts, which is fine when the upgrade is someone like Tucker, but if it’s someone like Kwan or a player of that ilk, then it might make more sense to just stick with what you have and maybe add to the bench (ex. a good utility IF). Of course if they have given up on Santander (they have more info on him than fans do) then that’s a different story. If they believe he’s a bounce back candidate then you’re probably not adding a 4-5 WAR OF that will justify moving him in a trade or to the bench.

With that said, a Ross Atkins team playing Santander in the OF all season seems very out of character, so I could see a trade for an OF. How they’d make it fit is the question.