Wish Lists Aplenty as the Offseason Rushes Towards the Unknown

[Sam Charles]

It isn't quite an empty slate to work with, but the Jays front office has plenty to consider this offseason. The club enters the winter with one of the American League's best defensive foundations, but another season of inconsistent offence means Ross Atkins and company still have several important holes to fill.

Run prevention was never the issue last season. Their pitchers generated enough quality starts to remain competitive on most nights, and their defence consistently turned difficult balls into outs. The problem was that too often they needed to be nearly perfect to win games.

Fresh off some expected roster moves, including opting out of the Myles Straw contract and activating a slew of players from the 60-day injured list, the front office is working the phones to fill some voids before an expected labour stoppage puts major transactions on hold.

Shoring up the starting rotation, adding an infielder, adding an outfielder and deciding what to do at DH. It isn't a small list and, given the uncertainty surrounding a work stoppage, there may be some hesitation in aggressively assembling the 2027 roster right away.

There has already been plenty of talk surrounding a reunion with Kevin Gausman. It would make sense if he's willing to accept a shorter-term deal, perhaps bolstered by performance bonuses. Something similar to the option Shane Bieber picked up last offseason, but with incentives resembling those Max Scherzer negotiated into his contract.

During the 2026 season, Gausman threw 177.2 innings and struck out 184 batters while posting a 3.74 FIP, numbers that suggest he remains more effective than his traditional ERA might indicate.

Gausman remains an effective workhorse who can comfortably slot into the middle of the rotation and ease some of the pressure on Trey Yesavage and the club's younger arms. Unlike many of last year's starters, he managed to avoid injury. He remains capable of dominant stretches, but would benefit from a little more offensive support.

The talk of Tarik Skubal feels more like a pipe dream. The team's multi-year commitment to Dylan Cease all but removes the possibility of adding another marquee starter, barring a major move during a late-season playoff push.

Even if the Jays add another starter, the larger challenge remains scoring runs.

Regardless of who makes up the rotation, offensive production needs to improve. Some new blood in the infield and outfield will need to step up. A full season of Brett Bateman will be fun to watch, and the return of Addison Barger might help ignite the offence, but the infield still needs a sure-handed defender who can also contribute consistently at the plate.

Kazuma Okamoto was really the only bright spot in the infield last season. Much of the criticism among fans was aimed at Vladimir Guerrero Jr., but Andrés Giménez continued to underperform offensively while Ernie Clement's bat went quiet during the second half.

Josh Smith will most likely be given some opportunities after showing signs of a lively bat following his arrival from Texas. Luis Urías and Lenyn Sosa are both free agents, while Davis Schneider continued to slide down manager John Schneider's list of trusted hitters. Can Sean Keys or Charles McAdoo bring their minor league success to the major league level?

Keep in mind the Jays won the American League Team Gold Glove Award for the best overall defence in the league in 2026, their third such honour in four seasons. Whoever gets added to the roster not only needs to improve the offence but also needs to fit the club's defensive identity.

That balancing act may ultimately define this offseason more than any single player acquisition.

Throughout the 2026 season, the Jays found themselves near the bottom of the league in several key offensive categories. Strong pitching performances were often wasted because the lineup simply couldn't generate enough support.

Only eight players on the roster finished the season with a wRC+ at or above league average (100). The statistic is designed to measure a player's total value at the plate. That group included Luis Urías (122), Jonatan Clase (153), Kazuma Okamoto (133), Alejandro Kirk (114), Nathan Lukes (102), Brett Bateman (138) and George Springer (105). Jesús Sánchez posted a 105 wRC+ before his departure.

Giménez smoothly transitioned to shortstop, but his offensive production remains inconsistent. The team needs more than a .244 batting average, .291 on-base percentage and .359 slugging percentage from an everyday player.

According to Baseball Savant, he ranked near the bottom of MLB in average exit velocity, hard-hit percentage and several expected offensive metrics. The Jays took a risk when they acquired him and took on his sizable contract, and the move has only partially paid off so far.

Giménez doesn't need to hit like Elly De La Cruz or Mookie Betts, but lifting his slugging percentage closer to .400 would go a long way toward making him a more impactful player.

His contributions, along with Clement's, are vital, especially if Guerrero continues to fall short of the MVP-calibre standards he established earlier in his career.

Delving into Diamondcentric's top 35 trade candidates, there are a few intriguing options for the Jays.

If the front office can work out a deal for a player such as CJ Abrams, Jeremy Peña or Zach Neto, it could take some of the pressure off Giménez, Clement and potentially Guerrero as well. Those names feel considerably more realistic than a blockbuster pursuit of Gunnar Henderson, though the Orioles have shown they aren't entirely opposed to trading within the division.

Meanwhile, a healthy Barger has the potential to become a difference-maker. The Blue Jays have long believed in his power potential and positional flexibility. If he can stay on the field for 140-plus games, he could effectively function as an external acquisition without Toronto spending a dollar in free agency. The same can be said for Bateman, who will hope to play his first full season in 2027.

The Blue Jays would love to add a power bat. They already paid for one when they signed Anthony Santander. His injury-plagued tenure, combined with his recent activity on social media, might spell the end of his time in Toronto.

Teams rarely eat contracts of that size, and there has been no public declaration either way from the organization, so perhaps the club will give him one more opportunity.

An outfielder, who could serve as DH as well, with some pop would certainly be welcome next season. DiamondCentric lists Oneil Cruz and Garrett Mitchell as potential trade candidates. Their salaries would be easier to absorb than a reunion with Teoscar Hernández. Steven Kwan has also been rumoured as a possible fit. He doesn't provide much power, but he aligns well with the Jays' contact-first philosophy.

The Blue Jays are closer to contention than many frustrated fans might realize. Their defence remains intact heading into next season. Their pitching foundation, both in the rotation and bullpen, is strong. Several young players also possess legitimate breakout potential.

The challenge for the front office isn't rebuilding the roster. It's finding enough offence to support an already strong pitching staff and elite defence. If they can accomplish that, the Blue Jays may be much closer to contention than many people think.

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