The Top 50 Blue Jays of All Time: 10 to 6

[Sam Charles]

Jays Centre is counting down the top 50 Blue Jays in franchise history. Check out prior entries in the series here:

• Introduction
• 50 to 46
• 45 to 41
• 40 to 36
• 35 to 31
• 30 to 26
• 25 to 21
• 20 to 16
• 15 to 11

When ranking the greatest players in Toronto Blue Jays history, the top 10 is where subjectivity truly takes over. By this point, every name carries All‑Star credentials, franchise records, postseason moments, and plenty of fans ready to defend them. Unless you were there for the franchise’s first pitch, how can one possibly compare players from different eras? But that’s the fun of this top 50 list.

Players 10 through 6 capture the '80s to the present day. Jesse Barfield, George Bell, Tom Henke, Vernon Wells and Vladimir Guerrero Jr. all feel “right” in the top 10. Yet, we can still argue the exact order. On my personal ballot, I had several of these players placed quite differently within the top 25. That doesn’t diminish their legacies. Instead, it highlights how rich and layered Blue Jays history has become.

This tier represents the bridge between franchise icons and generational cornerstones. Each player defined an era, shaped the identity of the team, and left a mark that still resonates.

No. 10: Jesse Barfield

Accolades & Notes

• All-Star 
• Two-time Gold Glove winner 
• Led AL outfielders in assists four times
• Key contributor to multiple AL East contenders
• One of the strongest throwing arms in franchise history

Jesse Barfield at No. 10 is where the real debate begins.

There is no question Barfield was an elite defender and a crucial piece of the Blue Jays’ rise in the mid-to-late 1980s. His throwing arm was legendary. Runners didn’t test him, and when they did, they often paid for it. Offensively, he had power, patience and stretches where he looked like one of the most complete outfielders in baseball.

That said, this is the ranking that feels most aggressive.

On my personal ballot, I had Barfield closer to #25, not because he wasn’t great, but because his peak was relatively short compared to others in this tier. He never finished higher than ninth in MVP voting, never won a Silver Slugger and was gone before the team achieved true relevance. Because he was part of the Jays’ best-ever outfield along with George Bell and Lloyd Moseby, he definitely deserves a spot in the top 25.

Barfield represents excellence, not transcendence. His defense elevates his case significantly, but when stacked against players who either carried the franchise offensively or defined championship moments, #10 feels like the upper limit of his case rather than the natural fit. Still, he absolutely belongs in the top 50, and his role in establishing a winning culture cannot be ignored.

No. 9: George Bell

Accolades & Notes

• 1987 American League MVP
• Three-time All-Star
• Three-time Silver Slugger
• Led MLB in home runs and RBI (1987)
• One of the most feared power hitters of his era

George Bell is the most decorated hitter on this list, and perhaps the most underappreciated.

An MVP Award matters. It always does. Bell’s 1987 season remains one of the greatest offensive years in Blue Jays history: 47 home runs, 134 RBI, and a relentless middle-of-the-order presence that powered a division-winning club. For several seasons, pitchers approached Bell with genuine fear.

Despite that, I had Bell higher than this… at No. 6.

Who doesn’t remember the start of the 1988 season? On April 4, 1988, Bell became the first player in Major League Baseball history to hit three home runs on Opening Day (against the Royals in Kansas City).

Bell’s best seasons were elite by any standard. He was a top-five hitter in baseball, not just on the Blue Jays. While his defense and longevity weren’t strengths, his offensive impact during the franchise’s first true powerhouse era was immense.

His catch to clinch the 1985 American League East title is indelibly etched into Blue Jays lore.

Bell’s legacy suffers slightly from timing. He didn’t win a World Series ring or enjoy a farewell tour. However, when evaluating pure dominance in a Jays uniform, his resume stacks up with almost anyone. Ranking him ninth feels conservative, even if understandable.

No. 8: Tom Henke

Accolades & Notes

• Franchise leader in saves (217)
• Two-time All-Star
• AL saves leader (1987)
• World Series champion (1992)
• One of the most reliable closers in MLB history

Tom Henke is the gold standard for relief pitching in Toronto. And one of the nicest people you will ever meet.

Before the era of specialized bullpens and velocity-obsessed closers, Henke simply went out and ended games. His calm demeanor, consistency and durability made him a manager’s dream.

Sure, he might have looked like your grade nine science teacher, but his fastball and forkball earned him the nickname “The Terminator.”

When the ninth inning arrived, the game was effectively over.

I personally ranked Henke at No. 9, just one spot lower, and that speaks to how tightly packed this group is.

Relievers are always tricky on all-time lists. Their impact is enormous, but their opportunities are limited. Henke maximized every one of those opportunities.

What elevates Henke into the top 10 is his role in championship baseball. While his peak came slightly before the World Series years, his presence helped build the bullpen culture that carried Toronto to back-to-back titles. He wasn’t flashy, but he was foundational.

No. 7: Vernon Wells

Accolades & Notes

• Three-time All-Star
• Three-time Gold Glove winner
• Silver Slugger Award
• Over 1,000 hits and 200 home runs with Toronto
• Franchise cornerstone during a difficult era

Vernon Wells is one of the most polarizing great players in Blue Jays history.

During his prime, Wells was everything you want in a franchise player: power, defense, leadership and durability. He played hard, represented the organization well, and carried some less-than-quality rosters. His best seasons placed him among the elite centre fielders in baseball.

However, context matters.

I had Wells at No. 12, not No. 7. The reason is simple: His prime coincided with one of the least successful stretches in franchise history. That’s not his fault, but legacy rankings inevitably account for team impact. Wells never played in a postseason game with Toronto, and his late-career decline was steep.

His final contract with the Jays was a seven-year, $126 million extension signed in 2006. At the time, it was the richest deal in franchise history.

That contract was a reflection of his contributions during his peak. For several seasons, he was the face of the franchise, and his all-around game earns him a legitimate spot in the top 10, even if this ranking feels slightly generous.

No. 6: Vladimir Guerrero Jr.

Accolades & Notes

• Five-time All-Star
• 2021 AL MVP runner-up
• Silver Slugger and Gold Glove winner
• One of the best offensive seasons in franchise history
• Face of the modern Blue Jays era

Vladimir Guerrero Jr. is the most difficult player to rank on this list, because his story is still being written.

Guerrero has already delivered one of the greatest seasons any Blue Jay has ever had. His combination of power, plate discipline, and charisma has redefined what a modern franchise star looks like. He is the centrepiece of the current era and the player opposing teams game-plan around.

I personally had Guerrero at No. 7, not No. 6, simply because longevity still matters. He hasn’t yet compiled the counting stats or postseason resume of others in this tier. But if his career continues on its current trajectory, this ranking will age well and may soon look conservative.

Guerrero’s inclusion here is less about what he’s done and more about what he represents: a generational talent who has already met the moment and seems poised for even greater heights.

What makes rankings like this meaningful isn’t precision, it’s conversation.

Barfield may feel too high. Bell may feel too low. Wells might be overrated by some, Henke underrated by others, and Guerrero still premature. All of those viewpoints can coexist, because each player here earned their place through excellence, not circumstance.

Ranks 10 through 6 aren’t just a list. They’re a reflection of eras, values and evolving standards of greatness. And that’s exactly how it should be.

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[mphenhef]

Either I missed one of them further up or Alomar isn't eligibile for the list as I count 6 guys for 5 spots.

Delgado

Stieb

Halladay

Bautista

Alomar

Fernandez

[Orgfiller]

2 hours ago, mphenhef said:

Either I missed one of them further up or Alomar isn't eligibile for the list as I count 6 guys for 5 spots.

Delgado

Stieb

Halladay

Bautista

Alomar

Fernandez

Alomar was removed from consideration with the reasoning that the team similarly doesn't honour him following what came out about his behaviour.

The reasoning is in the introduction

Quote

Having said that, I should acknowledge some names you won’t see on our top 50. For one, I asked our staff not to include Roberto Alomar in their individual rankings. The Blue Jays cut ties with Alomar in 2014, the same year he was added to Major League Baseball’s permanently-ineligible list. If the Blue Jays have no interest in celebrating their former second baseman, Jays Centre doesn’t need to either. 

 

[mphenhef]

Thank you, I swear I read the intro...Clearly I  wasn't paying enough attention to it.

[mphenhef]

My guess

1. Roy

2. Delgado

3. Stieb

4. Bautista

5. Tony 

[Seth Stohs]

I feel like it's too early for Vlad to be ranked where you've got them. #6 just feels so high for a kid that just turned 27, but as I look at the guys behind him on the list, I wouldn't put any of them ahead of Vladdy. 

And, having read the final parts of this article, I think he could jump up to #5 quickly, and maybe even #4 by the end of the year. 

So yes, great job of ranking him... and with 13 more years of service time remaining, it'd be pretty well shocking if he isn't #1. I'd still say maybe 2-3 years to reach #1. #3 was so good. I'd maybe move him up to #2, but not without much debate.