Blue Jays Discussion Thread (2026)

[glory]

From Shi Davidi: "Still, since they always big-game hunt, they’re sure to at least check in with Tarik Skubal but they’ve also done lots of work on this year’s Japanese class, including starters Kaima Taira and Hiromi Itoh, and third baseman/outfielder Teruaki Sato".

Ross Atkins this winter:

 

[Brownie19]

2 hours ago, glory said:

The Jays came off one of the more infuriating seasons that I can remember, but on the last game of a lost season the stadium was packed, and the fans gave departing players the type of send off that players dream about. One thing that is understated aside from the obvious financial advantage the Jays have is that they've built a culture that players want to play for (like Bieber above). Obviously without money that wouldn't mean much to free agents, but when you combine culture with deep pockets, that's a huge competitive advantage. Hopefully the MLBPA wins and we don't see a salary cap (and I don;'t think we will). 

Agree.  That's one of the worst seasons I can remember.  Primarily based on expectations that were never met of course.  I hope that doesn't hurt the momentum they've created in the org over the last 3-5 years.

[jaysblue]

1 hour ago, glory said:

From Shi Davidi: "Still, since they always big-game hunt, they’re sure to at least check in with Tarik Skubal but they’ve also done lots of work on this year’s Japanese class, including starters Kaima Taira and Hiromi Itoh, and third baseman/outfielder Teruaki Sato".

Ross Atkins this winter:

 

Keep an eye out on Air Canada flights to Tokyo Haneda and Narita this fall. Atkins could be on one! 

[Eat My Shatkins]

Is Brendan Cellucci any good?

Had himself a hell of a first go of it in MLB.

[Brownie19]

9 hours ago, Eat My Shatkins said:

Is Brendan Cellucci any good?

Had himself a hell of a first go of it in MLB.

No.

[Ryu In My House]

You know, if the Jays sign Suzuki and Lowe, no small feat (but doable), that should take care of the roster, other than pitching.

I would not exercise Straw's option. But, I would consider him after opting out. The Guardians are paying for his opt-out amount. I think Bateman is the real deal in that small sample size, and I would pencil him in as the CF going forward. 

I am excited that there is potential for the FO to sign some Japanese pitchers. One decent starter would really just be incredible.

[Jays24]

Shatkins about to have their presser at in 5 minutes.  Promotions for everyone? Lol

[Jays24]

Damn... Atkins hairline hanging on for dear life

[Eat My Shatkins]

SP depth:

1. Cease

2. Soriano

3. Yesavage

4. Ponce

5. Miles (I could see them moving him to a starter role)

6. Berrios (injured until mid season-ish)

7. Arrighetti

8. Francis (should see if he plays up in a reliever role IMO)

9. Bloss

10. Tiedemann (I'd like to see him in the MLB bullpen)

11. Dallas (AAAA fodder)

12. Van Eyk (AAAA fodder)

13. Klein (AAAA fodder)

14. Stephan (AAAA fodder)

15. Estrada (AAAA fodder)

16. Stanifer

17. Guerra

18. Perry (AA)

19. King (AA)

 

Obviously the Jays are most likely going to add a couple MLB starters, and if that pushes arms like Miles and Tiedemann to the bullpen, so be it. The Jays have the makings of one hell of a bullpen, especially if they a couple starters via free agency, and also with Little coming back very strong in the second half.

CL - Varland

SU - Rogers

SU - Miles (if starters added)

HL - Tiedemann (Lefty)

MR - Little (Lefty)

MR - Winckowski

MR - Fluharty (Lefty)

MR - Fisher

Depth - Jose Rodriguez

Depth - Francis (if moved to reliever)

Depth - Cellucci (Lefty)

Depth - Yariel Rodriguez

Depth - Coleman (Lefty)

 

 

[Jays24]

I really hope Atkins doesnt talk like this away from the cameras.  Imagine trying to get an answer from him on anything lol.  

[Terminator]

15 minutes ago, Jays24 said:

I really hope Atkins doesnt talk like this away from the cameras.  Imagine trying to get an answer from him on anything lol.  

Ross after a subpar performance with his wife:

"We felt like we were fully prepared as a team to achieve mutual pleasure, and we believed we had the right process in place to execute on that goal. Ultimately, we weren’t able to get the desired result, and I take full responsibility for that. At the end of the day, the process was sound. The execution simply wasn’t there and that's my fault."

[Terminator]

We are going for the big fish again

[Jays24]

Shaprio breeds confidence.  Him and Atkins are night and day in how they communicate lol

[Jays24]

31 minutes ago, Terminator said:

We are going for the big fish again

Just gotta hope we get all our major work out of the way before the lockout.  Then we can live with whatever new structure forces is yo gradually decrease our payroll

[Ryu In My House]

I think there is a solid chance the Blue Jays also add either Gausman or Bieber for 2027. The lockout situation may impact that, of course.

What would a 2-3 year deal look like for Gausman? What would a 1-year contract look like for Bieber?

[glory]

I think the Jays are going to make a big move (or two) prior to the lockout. November might be quiet for teams/owners who want to avoid any dollars spent before a work stoppage, but there are a handful a teams who DGAF about money and thankfully the Jays are one of them. The Dodgers have an owner going through major legal issues so that might open the market up if they are a bit more reserved in spending because of it. The Mets have a Dollar Store version of Peter Brand from Moneyball as their GM so how they spend will depend on Cohen. Should be interesting. Whatever this winter's version of Dylan Cease is, I think the Jays do it pretty early in the off season. 

[Eat My Shatkins]

Bringing back Gausman on a short term discount deal and Bieber on a one year pillow deal seems like it's not "big game hunter" enough. It would also be basically running it back with the pitching staff, but that's not a terrible idea since the only thing wrong with the staff in 2026 was injuries. Doesn't seem likely that they'd only get 155 combined innings from Bieber, Yesavage and Ponce again. Plus now you'd also have Soriano in the mix.

Cease

Gausman

Soriano

Yesavage

Bieber

Ponce

 

Pushes guys like Miles and Tiedemann to the bullpen and deepens the pitching staff across the board.

 

Hmm, I dunno. Maybe they have something bigger in mind. I could live with the above though.

[Jays24]

1 hour ago, Eat My Shatkins said:

Bringing back Gausman on a short term discount deal and Bieber on a one year pillow deal seems like it's not "big game hunter" enough. It would also be basically running it back with the pitching staff, but that's not a terrible idea since the only thing wrong with the staff in 2026 was injuries. Doesn't seem likely that they'd only get 155 combined innings from Bieber, Yesavage and Ponce again. Plus now you'd also have Soriano in the mix.

Cease

Gausman

Soriano

Yesavage

Bieber

Ponce

 

Pushes guys like Miles and Tiedemann to the bullpen and deepens the pitching staff across the board.

 

Hmm, I dunno. Maybe they have something bigger in mind. I could live with the above though.

The Jays dont need to go big game hunting for their rotation if they can land Gausman and Bieber.  Just run a 6 man rotation in the unlikely chance everyone's healthy and go to a 5 man rotation if someone's out.  God knows every one of those guys can use the extra rest. 

Now where they need to go big game hunting is for 2 bats and nothing less.  Ive been calling out this major hole and hope they actually get it done this offseason.  I think they'll finally address it so cant wait to see who those 2 will be.  

[Eat My Shatkins]

Hopefully the Jays land a 2B that can hit and a COF that can hit.

Then have Barger and Santander come back healthy and smack 60 dingers between the two of them, and have Vlad bounce back to 30ish homers and 5 fWAR. Oka with 30ish again.

 

Then have guys like McAdoo and Keys launching nukes coming off the bench.

[Ryu In My House]

6 hours ago, Eat My Shatkins said:

Hopefully the Jays land a 2B that can hit and a COF that can hit.

Then have Barger and Santander come back healthy and smack 60 dingers between the two of them, and have Vlad bounce back to 30ish homers and 5 fWAR. Oka with 30ish again.

 

Then have guys like McAdoo and Keys launching nukes coming off the bench.

Some of the kids could conceivably do better than free agents signing to fill the offensive void at 2B. I like Lowe, but only at the right price. I firmly believe if they signed Lowe, Suzuki, and lived with the rest they would be really great. I guess we will see.

[bronson44]

Ángelo Ramos on Ángel Montas 😱

“In my 25 years of experience working with ballplayers, I’ve never seen a talent like his”

“Many players have power, but they lack discipline. He has both. He’s a generational hitter, it’s like combining the power of Aaron Judge with the discipline of Juan Soto”

Montas has a pre-agreement to sign with Toronto in 2028 for a $5.6M bonus

[Forever92]

19 hours ago, Ryu In My House said:

You know, if the Jays sign Suzuki and Lowe, no small feat (but doable), that should take care of the roster, other than pitching.

I would not exercise Straw's option. But, I would consider him after opting out. The Guardians are paying for his opt-out amount. I think Bateman is the real deal in that small sample size, and I would pencil him in as the CF going forward. 

I am excited that there is potential for the FO to sign some Japanese pitchers. One decent starter would really just be incredible.

I would offer Gausman a one year contract. Around 7 million. As 4th starter. 

 

Agree on Straw. He good glove but 7 million for .650 OPS? Bettman takes his place. Use his 7 million to sign Gausman. 

Suzuki or Happ?

[jaysblue]

19 hours ago, Terminator said:

We are going for the big fish again

Suzuki, Bo (if he's available), Jazz, Arraez, maybe Sato from Japan. Those guys would be meaningful additions.

Also, wonder what trades could be possible? Maybe CJ Abrams, Kyle Stowers, Brent Rooker? 

[jaysblue]

18 hours ago, Jays24 said:

Shaprio breeds confidence.  Him and Atkins are night and day in how they communicate lol

Shapiro is the boss! Man walks into a room, and you can feel his presence. 

Mark Shapiro for Prime Minister of Canada! 

[jaysblue]

16 hours ago, Eat My Shatkins said:

Bringing back Gausman on a short term discount deal and Bieber on a one year pillow deal seems like it's not "big game hunter" enough. It would also be basically running it back with the pitching staff, but that's not a terrible idea since the only thing wrong with the staff in 2026 was injuries. Doesn't seem likely that they'd only get 155 combined innings from Bieber, Yesavage and Ponce again. Plus now you'd also have Soriano in the mix.

Cease

Gausman

Soriano

Yesavage

Bieber

Ponce

 

Pushes guys like Miles and Tiedemann to the bullpen and deepens the pitching staff across the board.

 

Hmm, I dunno. Maybe they have something bigger in mind. I could live with the above though.

Yeah over the course of a 162 game season, this rotation healthy is good enough and most likely gets them to the Postseason. 

The only issue with it is when the Jays get to the Postseason, they really don't have a true #1A or #2 behind Cease. Unless Yesavage takes his game to the next level and pitches like 2025 October Yesavage again. Otherwise, after Cease its a bunch of durable #3-4's IMO. 

[Brownie19]

2 hours ago, jaysblue said:

Yeah over the course of a 162 game season, this rotation healthy is good enough and most likely gets them to the Postseason. 

The only issue with it is when the Jays get to the Postseason, they really don't have a true #1A or #2 behind Cease. Unless Yesavage takes his game to the next level and pitches like 2025 October Yesavage again. Otherwise, after Cease its a bunch of durable #3-4's IMO. 

Between Yesavage and Soriano - both have the talent and ability to step up into that #2 role.  Plus, you can always add at the deadline.

We didn't have a 1A or a true #2 last year and did just fine if I recall correctly.  Actually, you could probably say Gausman was #2 and we didn't have an ace.

[Brownie19]

2 hours ago, Forever92 said:

I would offer Gausman a one year contract. Around 7 million. As 4th starter. 

 

Agree on Straw. He good glove but 7 million for .650 OPS? Bettman takes his place. Use his 7 million to sign Gausman. 

Suzuki or Happ?

You can just say you're not willing to pay Gausman enough to sign him.  It's OK.

[Angrioter]

9 hours ago, bronson44 said:

Ángelo Ramos on Ángel Montas 😱

“In my 25 years of experience working with ballplayers, I’ve never seen a talent like his”

“Many players have power, but they lack discipline. He has both. He’s a generational hitter, it’s like combining the power of Aaron Judge with the discipline of Juan Soto”

Montas has a pre-agreement to sign with Toronto in 2028 for a $5.6M bonus

 

[Laika]

Another Vlad! 

Maybe this one won't suck 

 

[Terminator]

Where did all the Luis Robert fanboys go? I haven't seen him mentioned once.

We could probably sign him for the entire 2027 season for less than the Orioles paid him for three games in 2026. What a steal!