Bryan Jaeger

The Toronto Blue Jays in 2025 had a magical run that came within two outs of ending a 32-year World Series drought. The offense finished the season in the top five in most offensive categories because it had to rely more on a contact approach at the plate. The team hit more home runs than in 2024 (156), but the 191 long balls last season fell short of expectations as the Blue Jays finished tied for 11th. Key members who were expected to be leaned on heavily in the power department struggled on the field and/or battled injuries all season long. Anthony Santander signed with the Blue Jays last offseason after hitting 44 home runs with the Baltimore Orioles. However, the same success hasn't been shown in Toronto. He struggled at the plate at the beginning of the season and suffered a shoulder subluxation in May, which kept him out until the final week of the regular season. Fans and the organization were expecting far more than the six home runs, 16 runs scored, and 18 driven in from Santander's bat, but he wasn't the only heavy-hitter to struggle staying on the field. Daulton Varsho was on pace to surpass his career-best statistics if it wasn't for his injury-plagued season. He started the season on the injury list, recovering from a shoulder injury. He returned towards the end of April, but a grade 2 hamstring injury forced him to miss all of June and July. Thanks to boosting his barrel percentage from 6.2 percent in 2024 to 15.9 percent in '25, Varsho hit 20 home runs in 271 plate appearances. That home run total was seven fewer than his career high in 2022; however, the center fielder had 321 more plate appearances that season. He also had 19 fewer RBIs in 2025 (55) than in '22, when he hit 74. We could have witnessed an MVP-caliber season out of the 29-year-old had he stayed healthy throughout the season. Vladimir Guerrero Jr. was also not in normal heavy-hitter form. With the question marks around his future looming over the superstar first baseman, he struggled out of the gates, not hitting his first home run until his 19th game. His average exit velocity dropped from 93.8 mph in 2024 to 92 mph in '25. Guerrero Jr.'s hard-hit percentage also dropped in this time span from 54.9 percent to 50.7 percent. The Blue Jays' first baseman finished the season with 23 home runs and 84 runs driven in over 680 plate appearances. The team will need a stronger season from him in the upcoming season. Amid struggles from likely power sources, the Blue Jays received a power surge from an unlikely player. George Springer emerged as the heavy-hitter in the batting order, something he hasn't been referred to as since 2019 while with the Houston Astros. Last season, the 36-year-old set career-highs in barrel percentage (16.1 percent), exit velocity (90 mph), and hard-hit percentage (47.6 percent). These impressive metrics helped the veteran hit 31 home runs and drive in 84 runs. Both are his highest totals since 2019. Despite inconsistent power production, the Blue Jays won the AL East and advanced to a deep postseason run. This success was boosted by inexperienced names like Nathan Lukes, Addison Barger, and Ernie Clement, who performed exceptionally in more meaningful roles than expected. Last season was Lukes first full season in the big leagues, despite being 31. He posted a 103 wRC+ and a .730 OPS over 438 plate appearances. It was a steady performance the Blue Jays needed, as he was usually at the top of the batting order. Barger has had a roller-coaster two-year MLB career. He was another much-needed power bat that broke out last season. He hit 21 home runs and posted a 107 wRC+ over 502 plate appearances. If he's going to continue being a power source, he needs to improve on his 22.9 flyball percentage. Clement was a consistent contact hitter all season long. He posted a .296 BABIP, just below average, but his excellence came in the postseason. The utility infielder set a single postseason record for hits (30). Clement will be called upon to return his contact success while hitting at the bottom of the batting order. How Will This Year's Offense Compare to Last Year's? After the magical 2025 season ended, fans were excited for an offseason of additions that could get the team back to the World Series. However, those big additions fizzled away. The Blue Jays were once again outbid for the top free-agent bat, this time Kyle Tucker. The two-time World Series champion Los Angeles Dodgers swooped in late to add the star outfielder. After Tucker signed, any chance of a reunion with Bo Bichette was quickly snuffed away by the New York Mets. The Blue Jays did add Kazuma Okamoto from Japan, but there's no guarantee he will adapt to American pitching quickly. He will be under pressure to fill Bichette's offensive void. Okamoto has the skills to hit 20 or more home runs that Bichette would likely have contributed. The Japanese player hit 15 long balls last season but missed half the season with injuries. All eyes will be on him throughout the season. Toronto's need for Okamoto's power has increased significantly with the latest news about Santander. The organization hoped a full offseason to get healthy would help the switch-hitter regain his power swing. However, he will now require left labral surgery, which will hold him out for five to six months. It's a devastating blow to the 2026 plans, especially with striking out on Tucker. The Blue Jays will likely turn to Lukes to fill the left field hole that has opened up with Santander's injury. Lukes may even play in a platoon role with Davis Schneider batting against southpaws. Schneider didn't have a clear role before Santander's injury. However, now a platoon role makes sense for the 27-year-old. Schneider struggled against lefties last season, posting a .708 OPS compared to a .915 OPS against right-handers. Despite the low OPS while facing left-handers, he was able to be productive offensively, posting a 106 wRC+. While the Blue Jays have a band-aid to patch up losing Santander for the first half of the season, it's also highly unlikely that Springer can repeat his monstrous power display. He's 36 now, although the full transition to the DH role has aided in keeping Springer healthy. Even when he hit 39 homers in 2019, he faced a slight regression in barrel and hard-hit percentages the next season. However, the next season was the shortened 2020 campaign. Fans need to prepare themselves for Springer to still be productive at the top of the lineup, but there will likely be a slight regression in the power department. He could still hit in the mid-20s for home runs, which the Blue Jays will need since they are thin on heavy bats. The upcoming season will be where Guerrero Jr. will need to flex his muscles as the franchise player. The Blue Jays will need him to return to a mid-30 home run total. Just looking at the lineup on paper, he's the only name that strikes fear in opposing teams to hit the long ball. Ultimately, health is the Blue Jays' primary concern. They can't afford another injury to a key player, or the team will have to rely on inexperienced players again, as in 2025. There's still a possibility for the Blue Jays to add a free agency bat, but the top-tier players are already on a team. View full article

Anthony Santander was looking to have a redemption year after injuries derailed his 2025 season. He suffered a shoulder subluxation last May after crashing into the outfield wall. The injury kept him out until the last couple of weeks of the regular season. Santander made the postseason roster, but in the ALCS, he suffered a back injury and was replaced, ending his season. When the 31-year-old was on the field last season, he was a massive disappointment after his career-best 2024 campaign, in which he hit 44 home runs with 102 RBIs for the Baltimore Orioles. His success led him to sign a five-year, $92.5 million contract with the Toronto Blue Jays. However, in his 221 plate appearances last season, Santander hit just six home runs, scored 16 times, and drove in 18 runs. His underwhelming 61 wRC+ was his worst since his rookie cups of coffee in 2017 and '18. The Blue Jays were surely hoping that time to recover over the offseason would mean a bounce-back performance from Santander this year. However, the team just received devastating news about the left fielder. Mitch Bannon of The Athletic reports that Santander will need left labral surgery, likely keeping the switch-hitter out for five to six months. There's no way to sugarcoat it: This contract is turning into a massive bust for the Toronto Blue Jays organization. The Blue Jays finished 11th in home runs last season among MLB teams (191), making this injury news even more concerning. Bo Bichette left in free agency, and the Blue Jays struck out trying to add Kyle Tucker in free agency. Fans need to brace themselves for another year with less power than they'd like to see. Nathan Lukes looks to be the main recipient of the playing time that has opened up, and he's not exactly a big home run threat. Lukes has only hit 15 home runs in 560 career plate appearances, but he was a reliable top-of-the-order batter in 2025. He makes lots of contact and gets on base at an above-average rate. It will be interesting to see if the Blue Jays try to add another bat, though all of the big-name free agents have already signed. View full article

The World Baseball Classic begins March 5, and the opening round will be played in four locations. Pool play games will be held in Tokyo, Japan; San Juan, Puerto Rico; Houston, Texas; and Miami, Florida. The Toronto Blue Jays have 12 players and prospects participating in the WBC tournament. José Berríos intended to play, but he was denied an insurance policy. He participated in the last three classics, playing for Puerto Rico. The righty had an up-and-down MLB season last year, posting a 4.17 ERA with 138 strikeouts over 166 innings. In the first half of the season, he posted a 3.75 ERA and held batters to a .238 average over 115 1/3 innings. However, those numbers inflated over 50 2/3 innings in the second half, when he posted a 5.15 ERA and a .284 batting average against. He was sent to the bullpen, but he only threw two innings before he was placed on the 15-day injury list for the first time in his 10-year career with right elbow inflammation. Berríos was later revealed to be dealing with a biceps tendon issue. Japan is looking to repeat as WBC champions. However, the teams from the USA, Venezuela, Mexico, and the Dominican Republic will be stiff competition. There is also the chance of a surprise team making a run (What about that Canadian roster?). Blue Jays in the WBC Here are the Blue Jays players participating and the countries they will represent: Vladimir Guerrero Jr. - 1B, Dominican Republic Alejandro Kirk - C, Mexico Adam Macko - LHP, Canada Ernie Clement - INF, USA Kazuma Okamoto - 3B, Japan Andrés Giménez - SS, Venezuela Leo Jiménez - SS, Panama Yariel Rodríguez - RHP, Cuba CJ Stubbs - C, Israel RJ Schreck - OF, Israel Will Cresswell - C, Great Britain Ismael Munguia - OF, Nicaragua Guerrero will be making his first WBC appearance. He committed to play early after missing out on the 2023 tournament due to knee discomfort. Kirk will be the starting catcher for Team Mexico. He's also making his first WBC appearance after missing the 2023 event due to the birth of his child. Clement is still riding the high of a hot October, in which he set the record for hits in a single postseason (30). It'll be his first appearance for Team USA, and he'll offer versatility in the field. Clement can play any infield position for manager Mark DeRosa. Okamoto makes his second WBC appearance; he was a key contributor in Team Japan's 2023 WBC victory. He had a 1.278 OPS with two home runs and seven RBIs throughout the tournament. One of those home runs was against Team USA in the championship game. Giménez will also be making his second WBC appearance for Team Venezuela. In 2023, he slashed .294/.368/.294 with two runs and an RBI. However, he makes most of his impact with his glove. He is a three-time Gold Glove winner and won the Platinum Glove Award in 2023 while with the Cleveland Guardians. The Blue Jays' shortstop can play both middle infield positions, giving manager Omar López flexibility with the plethora of MLB infielders Team Venezuela has. Rodríguez will be making his second appearance for Team Cuba. During the 2023 tournament, he made two starts. He allowed two earned runs and struck out 10 batters over 7 1/3 innings. The Blue Jays also have several prospects participating in the classic. Stubbs is the only one with WBC experience. He played in the 2023 tournament for Team Israel. However, he played in only one game and went 0-for-3 at the plate. Of the notable minor leaguers participating, Macko is on the Blue Jays' 40-man roster. Rodríguez, Stubbs, and Schreck will be non-roster invitees in spring training. All four could make an appearance with the major league club during the season. If Macko or Schreck get called up, it would be their MLB debuts. Stubbs made a brief debut last season with the Washington Nationals, taking three plate appearances. Rodríguez has pitched in 87 big league games, but will also most likely be starting the season in Triple A. View full article

Pitchers and catchers report for spring training in Dunedin, Florida, on February 11. The rest of the team reports on the 16, and games begin five days later. The Toronto Blue Jays may be done adding to their offense, as all the big-dollar free agents have signed elsewhere. They did add Kazuma Okamoto, who comes over from Japan on a four-year, $60 million contract. With him added, let's take a look at how the batting order may come together versus right and left-handed pitchers. Predicting the Blue Jays' Batting Order Against RHP George Springer, DH - R Addison Barger, RF - L Vladimir Guerrero Jr., 1B - R Anthony Santander, LF - S Kazuma Okamoto, 3B - R Daulton Varsho, CF - L Alejandro Kirk, C - R Ernie Clement, 2B - R Andrés Giménez, SS - L Springer will deservedly return to the leadoff spot, where he's had 4,787 career plate appearances. Batting first, he has a career .270/.354/.481 slash line, 221 home runs, 761 runs, and 80 stolen bases. Even though he's 36, there's no one on the roster who should be considered to replace Springer atop the batting order if he stays productive. Nathan Lukes was often seen in the second spot down the stretch last season, but with everyone healthy and Okamoto pushing Barger to the outfield, Lukes will find himself a bench player at the start of the season. Last year was full of ups and downs for Barger, but he will look to bring his 115 wRC+ against righties into the upcoming season. It'll be his third year in the big leagues, but he will find himself in a platoon at the beginning of the season, as he struggled against lefties in 2025 (69 wRC+). There's no question who will bat third. Guerrero is by far the best hitter on the Blue Jays and one of the best in MLB. After him is where the debate will begin. The fourth through seventh hitters can be interchangeable depending on production. If Santander can return to his 2024 form, that of a player who had 44 home runs and 102 RBIs for the Baltimore Orioles, then he'll stay slotted into the cleanup spot all season since he's a switch-hitter. But let's be honest, Blue Jay fans will take anything better than Santander's production in his debut season in Toronto. Spring training will be Okamoto's first chance to show the Blue Jays he can bring his power bat from Japan to America. If he adjusts to MLB pitchers, then this signing will be a home run. He hit 15 homers last season, but an elbow injury caused him to miss over three months. Okamoto had a career-high 41 home runs in 2023, so he could be a great protection bat behind Santander. If Santander struggles again, Varsho should move to the four-hole as a left-handed power hitter. However, to start the season, Varsho should slot into the sixth spot to break up the righties at the end of the lineup. He started last season on the injured list, recovering from a 2024 shoulder surgery, and missed two months halfway through the season with a hamstring injury. If Varsho can stay healthy, we could witness his best season yet. Despite the missed time, Varsho was on pace for a career season in 2025. He had 20 home runs over 271 plate appearances, which was short of the 27 he hit in 2022, but he had 321 more plate appearances that year. The center fielder did complete the season with a career high 123 wRC+. Kirk could bat fifth and move Okamoto to the seventh spot in the batting order. The drastic power discrepancy is why I put Okamoto fifth, though. The Blue Jays' catcher has never been a power hitter, but last season he set career highs in home runs (15) and RBIs (76). What Kirk does well is put the ball in play, backed by a .292 BABIP and only an 11.7 strikeout percentage in 2025. He'd be a great contact bat to help knock in whatever runs the powerful three through six hole batters leave on the basepaths. Clement can bat eighth after an outstanding 2025 postseason. He slashed .411/.416/.398, scored 13 runs, and posted an incredible 171 wRC+ over 77 plate appearances. His 30 hits set an MLB record in a single postseason. If he keeps making contact at such a high level, he could find himself slotted in the two hole if Barger starts slow. Giménez will bat ninth as he's a defensive specialist. He started hot last season, hitting three home runs in 22 March plate appearances; however, he only hit four more in his remaining 347 trips to the plate. His .598 OPS was a career-worst over his six MLB seasons. Predicting the Blue Jays' Batting Order Against LHP George Springer, DH - R Ernie Clement, 2B - R Vladimir Guerrero Jr., 1B - R Anthony Santander, RF - S Kazuma Okamoto, 3B - R Alejandro Kirk, C - R Davis Schneider, LF - R Myles Straw, CF - R Andrés Giménez, SS - L Against left-handed pitchers, the batting order only has a few changes, mainly replacing some of the left-handed hitters. I'd move Clement to the second spot because of the contact skills he possesses. I replaced Varsho with Straw to get a right-handed bat in the lineup. The Blue Jays limited Varsho's reps against lefties last season, as well; he only has 56 plate appearances against southpaws, compared to 215 appearances against right-handers. Straw won't provide substantial offensive production, but last season he had some success on balls in play (.308 BABIP), leading to his best wRC+ (91) since 2021. The final change is replacing Barger with Schneider. Schneider surprisingly struggled against southpaws last season with a .215 batting average, though he had a .708 OPS and a 106 wRC+ against them. I acknowledged Barger's struggles versus lefties earlier, which makes Schneider an obvious replacement. Though exactly how Schneidet fits in this lineup is a little head-scratching. The Blue Jays will also have Tyler Heineman (switch-hitter) and Lukes (left-handed bat) that they can utilize in games. However, if I were the manager, this is the batting order I'd roll out. The Blue Jays have the pleasure of having massive power potential this year. It could be an electric season as fans hope to witness another World Series run, but with a different final outcome. View full article

At last season's trade deadline, the Toronto Blue Jays were sitting atop the AL East with a narrow lead over the New York Yankees and Boston Red Sox. The Blue Jays' front office was gearing up to be aggressive after making only three postseason trips since 2016, which, at that time, was the last year they made it to the ALCS. Pitching was the focus, as Shane Bieber, Seranthony Domínguez, and Louis Varland joined the squad. As for the offense, Ty France was the only notable hitter the Jays acquired. Steven Kwan was ESPN's top hitter to be considered as a trade candidate, and he was linked to the Blue Jays due to injuries and inexperience in their outfield. Fortunately, general manager Ross Atkins was rewarded for sticking with the inexperienced Addison Barger, Nathan Lukes, and Joey Loperfido, who all logged meaningful innings in the outfield during the final stretch of last season. Daulton Varsho staying healthy for the last two months of the regular season and the postseason was also a massive contributor to the team's success. He hit 12 of his 20 home runs in August and September. Occasional outfielder George Springer, who produced his best statistics since 2019, was also a significant and unexpected factor in the Blue Jays' run to the World Series. The Cleveland Guardians avoided arbitration with Kwan earlier this month, as the two sides agreed to a one-year, $7.725 million contract. He still has an additional year of team control before becoming a free agent ahead of the 2028 season, when he will be 30. While his name has popped up in some trade rumors this winter, the 2026 trade deadline may be the prime time for the Guardians to trade the left fielder, presuming they don't intend to pay him when he becomes a free agent. Kwan has been one of the most consistent contact hitters since his debut in 2022. He lacks power, but he is the epitome of a traditional leadoff batter. The lefty can work his way on base and put the ball in play. Last season, though, he struggled to draw walks, posting a career-worst 7.9 walk percentage, but he also had a career-best 8.7 strikeout percentage. His .283 BABIP (batting average on balls in play) was also a career worst. Yet, once Kwan got on base, he was ready to advance – also typical of a leadoff hitter. He tied his career-high in stolen bases, stealing safely on 21 of 26 attempts. The left fielder was also superb in the field, winning his fourth consecutive AL Gold Glove Award. His 7.6 FanGraphs Def led to a 3.2 fWAR, despite finishing with the first negative offensive rating (-0.4) of his career. Obviously, the decision whether or not to target Kwan at the deadline would depend on the Blue Jays' health and performance during the first half of the 2026 season. The cost to acquire one of the Guardians' better players will also have to be considered. The latter may be the exact reason the Blue Jays do not ultimately acquire the left fielder. As Bleacher Report's Kerry Miller stated, "[Trading Kwan] only makes sense for the Guardians if they're getting multiple, MLB-caliber starting pitchers in the deal.” A trade package like that may eliminate the Blue Jays. The only prospects closest to qualifying for such a package would be Ricky Tiedemann, Adam Macko, Angel Bastardo, Lazaro Estrada, and maybe Gage Stanifer. All of these arms, except Stanifer, could make their MLB debuts this upcoming season. I'm not including Trey Yesavage, as he's the Blue Jays' future ace, and it would be insane to trade him for Kwan. Other teams vying for Kwan will likely have more enticing options to offer the Guardians, as these Blue Jays prospects aren't fully MLB battle-tested. Considering that five of the six starting pitchers on the Blue Jays' 26-man roster, including José Berríos, are over 30 years old, it doesn't make sense to trade away young pitchers who may be relied on more as soon as the 2027 season. Kevin Gausman and Bieber's contracts both expire after the upcoming season. The only way trading young pitchers would work out in the Blue Jays' favor would be if Kwan were a few years younger. He is a player who relies on his speed, but he will be 29 before the 2027 season. So, the possibility of his skill set deteriorating in his thirties could make an extension a bad idea. The Blue Jays have plenty of outfield help to get by without needing to hamper the organization's future. However, if injuries shorten the outfield depth, then the Blue Jays may be desperate to improve after a World Series runner-up finish last season. That's precisely why Kwan makes more sense as a possible mid-season acquisition, rather than a trade target right now. Regardless of when he's dealt, Steven Kwan could definitely help Toronto, but he will come at an extremely steep price. The cost may be more than the Blue Jays are willing to pay. View full article

The Blue Jays once again found themselves among the finalists for the offseason's top free agent, only to be outbid. A tale that has repeated itself three offseasons in a row. The heartbreaking trend began during the 2023-24 offseason when Shohei Ohtani was the prize. The Blue Jays were among the finalists for his services, but they were outbid by the Los Angeles Dodgers, who signed Ohtani to a 10-year, $700 million contract. Toronto fans found their team in the same scenario the very next offseason when Juan Soto was the top free agent. After the Blue Jays were outbid for Ohtani, they were aggressive in their pursuit of Soto. However, they were outbid at the end by the New York Mets, who gave Soto a 15-year, $765 million deal. This offseason, the Blue Jays hoped the third time would be the charm. Kyle Tucker was the top dog of the free agent list. All reports indicated that Tucker's market was down to the Blue Jays and Mets, but MLB Network's Jon Morosi said on January 7 that the smart move may be for Tucker to accept a shorter deal with the Dodgers. Only one fanbase wanted to hear that prediction. However, it appears Morosi has a crystal ball, as Tucker broke the hearts of every baseball fan in Canada and Queens, New York. Tucker signed for four years, $240 million, with opt-outs after year two and three. The deal includes a $64 million signing bonus. An opt-out after his second season would make sense, as he'd be 30 and could go after the long-term contract he wanted this offseason. The outfield was the only weakness on the two-time defending World Series champions' roster, and adding Tucker gives them the greatest team money could buy. The left-handed hitter will likely slot in behind Ohtani, Mookie Betts, and Freddie Freeman to form a scary top four in the batting order. To put the finishing touch on an offseason that has seen the Blue Jays add Dylan Cease, Cody Ponce, and Tyler Rogers to the pitching staff and Kazuma Okamoto to the lineup, the front office needs to turn its attention back to Bo Bichette. A reunion with the beloved infielder would go a long way to ease Blue Jays fans' minds. The Philadelphia Phillies have been in discussions with Bichette, but more interest from Toronto could complicate those negotiations. If it's not Bichette, then the only other free agent to appease fans would be Cody Bellinger. Despite everything they've already done, the Blue Jays need to sign one of these two players, or else the offseason will be a failure. To meaningfully increase their chances of a repeat trip to the World Series, the team needs another power bat, or else Anthony Santander will have a bright spotlight on him for a second straight season. We don't want a repeat of Santander under pressure. Stay tuned, Jays fans, the team is hopefully not done building this offseason. View full article

The Toronto Blue Jays have been busy this offseason and still don't seem to be done, with news swirling about Kyle Tucker. The bullpen was a massive need; however, Tyler Rogers is the only MLB-ready addition. Chase Lee, Jorge Alcala, and Nic Enright were acquired but will likely begin the season in the minor leagues. They also selected Spencer Miles in the Rule 5 Draft. He'll need to be rostered for the entire season or be offered back to the San Francisco Giants for $50,000. Last season in the bullpen, Jeff Hoffman struggled as the closer, posting a 4.37 ERA and blowing seven of his 40 save opportunities. Home runs were an issue with a 20 percent home run to fly ball ratio, which was his highest since 2019. His 0.81 ground outs to air outs was Hoffman's second-worst ratio in that same time span. An upgrade at the closer role would be a massive boost going into the upcoming season. Eric Lauer was needed in the starting rotation due to injuries, so Brendon Little was the only lefty in the bullpen for the majority of the season. Mason Fluharty and Justin Bruihl made appearances but struggled. Lauer and Little will return to the bullpen in 2026, but another high-leverage left-hander for depth to relieve the workload would be ideal. There are also questions surrounding José Berríos. He expressed his displeasure at being moved to the bullpen in late September. With the addition of Dylan Cease and Cody Ponce this offseason, there's no room for Berríos in the starting rotation. So his status for the upcoming season is up in the air. He could be a possible trade chip. There are still a few quality arms available to address the left-hander need. Danny Coulombe is 36, but still possesses the skills to get left-handed batters out. He's posted an ERA under 3.00 in each of the last three seasons, and last season he threw 42 innings in relief, holding batters to a .199 batting average. Kolby Allard, 35, is also still available in free agency. He threw 33 2/3 combined innings last season for the Washington Nationals and Los Angeles Angels. He posted a 2.41 ERA and held batters to a .238 batting average, including holding left-handed batters to a .136 batting average. Another lefty option is Justin Wilson, who is 38. Last season for the Boston Red Sox, he posted a 3.35 ERA and held left-handed batters to a .212 batting average. Any three of these would be great depth options and bullpen pieces to combat left-handed batters or serve as high-leverage late-inning arms. Regarding the closer replacement, the team's best option may already be on the team. Louis Varland could be the answer. He posted a 2.97 ERA last season, but struggled after coming over from the Minnesota Twins at the trade deadline. In 23 2/3 innings with Toronto, he posted a 4.94 ERA; however, he struck out a career-best 10.65 per nine innings while walking a career-worst 3.42 per nine innings. He hasn't had experience closing games, but even though he didn't have the best results in his Toronto debut, he would be worth a look if the Blue Jays decide that Hoffman needs to be replaced. Despite the bullpen not being fully addressed, the Blue Jays have definitely taken a step forward in vying for another World Series trip, but hopefully with a different result. Whether Hoffman gets replaced or not, another left-handed reliever would be ideal if the Los Angeles Dodgers are again the foe. That gives John Schneider another weapon to combat Shohei Ohtani, Freddie Freeman, Max Muncy, and other left-handed bats of the two-time World Series champions. View full article

Davis Schneider has been a utility player over his three-year MLB career with the Toronto Blue Jays. He's handled second and third base, as well as left field. Offensively, he's an adequate contact hitter who walks at a high rate and offers some power. Last season, he slashed .234/.361/.436 with 11 home runs, 33 runs, and 31 runs knocked in over 227 plate appearances. Despite the low batting average, he posted a .280 BABIP and had a 15.9 walk percentage. His .202 isolated power (slugging percentage minus batting average) was 25% better than league average. Surprisingly, as a right-handed hitter, he has struggled against left-handed pitchers over the last two seasons. He posted a .528 and .708 OPS against southpaws in 2024 and '25, respectively, compared to .667 and .915 marks against righties. Last season, 37 of his 60 strikeouts, and only four of his home runs, came against left-handers. These struggles complicate his opportunities for playing time as a right-handed hitter. The signing of Kazuma Okamoto has further muddied Schneider's path to playing time. Okamoto was a primary third baseman in NPB but also spent time at first base and in the outfield. Schneider is now blocked by three right-handed-hitting infielders: Vladimir Guerrero Jr., Ernie Clement, and Okamoto. In the outfield, left-handed hitters Addison Barger, Daulton Varsho, Nathan Lukes, and Anthony Santander (switch-hitter) will block Schneider from facing right-handed pitching. Varsho, Lukes, and Santander have outperformed Schneider against lefties over their careers, as well. The only clear-cut route for Schneider to get on the field is if Barger sits against southpaws. Barger has only taken 126 MLB plate appearances against southpaws due to his struggles against them the last two seasons, compared to 601 PA against righties. However, Myles Straw, who is a right-handed hitter and had a .683 OPS against left-handed pitchers last season, could be the preferred candidate to replace Barger. While he isn't likely to be a better hitter than Schneider, he is a far superior defender and baserunner. That means Schneider has no route to regular at-bats unless there's an injury. Toronto's lineup could become even more crowded for the utility player. USA Today's Bob Nightengale is among those to report that Kyle Tucker, Alex Bregman, and Bo Bichette are still on the table to be signed by the defending American League champions. Nightengale also stated that the Blue Jays' preference "is to make Okamoto a superutility player." If the Jays signed one of Tucker, Bregman, or Bichette, it would make a Schneider trade a near certainty. Schneider will only be 27 years old in 2026, and he has four years of team control remaining. That makes him an appealing trade target. There's a chance he could also be sent down to Triple A, but that would mean wasting his talent to keep him around in case of an injury. Ultimately, there doesn't seem to be a scenario where keeping Schneider makes sense for a team with World Series aspirations. View full article

The Toronto Blue Jays have had a clear focus this offseason: upgrading the pitching staff. They've boosted the starting rotation by signing Dylan Cease to a seven-year, $210 million contract and last season's Korea Baseball Organization MVP, Cody Ponce, to a three-year, $30 million contract. They join Kevin Gausman, Shane Bieber, Trey Yesavage, and José Berríos. With six starters in the mix, Berríos would seem like the obvious choice to move to the bullpen, considering he was sent there in September due to his struggles down the stretch. However, his role for next year is uncertain. In the first half of last season, he posted a 3.75 ERA, allowed a .238 batting average, and gave up 15 home runs. His struggles in the second half were highlighted by a 5.15 ERA, a .283 batting average against, and 11 home runs, despite his throwing 64.2 fewer innings after the trade deadline. The transition to the bullpen was not well received by the 31-year-old, who had been one of the league's most consistent starting pitchers over his 10-year career. He's thrown at least 145 innings in eight of those seasons; his rookie campaign and the shortened 2020 season were the only exceptions. Berríos threw two innings out of the 'pen before hitting the injury list and missing the rest of the season. He also missed the postseason, but Blue Jays' insider Keegan Matheson of MLB.com recently reported that the decision not to join the team in the clubhouse for the World Series run was Berríos's. He didn't want his displeasure to be a distraction. According to Matheson, general manager Ross Atkins "wants and expects" Berríos to return to the starting rotation next season. That muddies the picture, with Gausman, Cease, and Yesavage locked into spots, and Bieber week-to-week but expected to be ready for Opening Day. As for Ponce, manager John Schneider spoke to reporters (including DiamondCentric's John Bonnes) at the Winter Meetings about Ponce's role. Asked if Ponce was going to be a starter, the manager replied: "Definitely going to be a starter." With Berríos, that makes six starters, and it gets more complicated. Eric Lauer did an exceptional job last season filling in after Bowden Francis's injury. The Blue Jays will also have Francis fully healthy next season, and they added Jays Centre's No. 5 prospect, Ricky Tiedemann, to the 40-man roster to protect him from the Rule 5 draft. Tiedemann's addition to the roster likely means the team has plans for him to pitch in the big leagues next season. What's more, Toronto also selected Spencer Miles in the Rule 5 draft, meaning he will need to spend next season in the majors or be offered back to the San Francisco Giants for $50,000. That's a logjam of players, so what options do the Blue Jays have regarding their starting rotation next season? 1. Implement a Six-Man Rotation After acquiring Bieber at last season's trade deadline, the Blue Jays went with a six-man rotation once the former Cy Young Award winner was healthy. Gausman, Bieber, Berríos, Lauer, Chris Bassitt, and Max Scherzer formed the rotation to give Toronto's arms extra days off to keep them healthy for the postseason. The final few weeks of the season are when we saw Berríos and Lauer transition fully to the bullpen. Yesavage earned his much-anticipated MLB debut, and he didn't disappoint. If Berríos isn't traded before next season, his displeasure to be in the bullpen would seem to force a six-man rotation. This setup makes sense at the beginning of a season, while pitchers are working to get fully stretched out, to reduce early workload and protect against injuries. The other benefit is that if an injury occurs, the Jays would still have five starters who had pitched in the big league rotation all season. 2. Is the Hype Real or Strategic? A lot of times, a manager or front office executive's optimistic take on a player is strategic, especially when the hype doesn't seem to make sense. In this case, Atkins saying he "wants and expects" Berríos to be in the starting rotation could be more of a message to other teams that the Blue Jays pitcher is healthy, thereby making him more appealing in trade. Berríos is 32 and has three years and $67 million remaining on his contract, though he can opt out after next season. Plus, he's the odd man out of the five-man rotation if everyone is healthy. His being on the outside looking in at the rotation makes Berríos the most likely trade candidate. He could bring back a decent return if the Blue Jays are willing to absorb some of his salary, and financial relief if they aren't. Regardless of the team's intentions when it comes to recent comments about the starting rotation, the Blue Jays presumably have a plan that will benefit them. They are set up to defend their AL East title and pursue another World Series appearance. View full article

The Toronto Blue Jays failed to address their most significant need at the Winter Meetings. The bullpen was a liability down the stretch. Their relievers' collective ERA rose from 3.57 in the first half to 4.63 in the second half. This was due in part to an August in which their bullpen ERA rose to 4.76 and their walk rate skyrocketed to 14.2%. Closer Jeff Hoffman had his worst month since May, posting a 6.00 ERA and a 7.64 FIP and allowing a slugging percentage of .587. Three of his seven blown saves on the season came in August. Yariel Rodríguez, who was recently outrighted off the 40-man roster, saw his stellar first-half 2.47 ERA overshadowed by a 4.21 ERA in the second half. Brendon Little suffered the same trend when he couldn't repeat his 2.03 ERA from the first half, posting a 4.88 second-half ERA. Louis Varland faced a similar fate. After posting a 1.81 ERA while with the Minnesota Twins, he had a 4.82 ERA following the trade to Toronto. Reliever ERA is volatile, especially in such small samples. Still, all this inconsistency underscored the need for a high-leverage arm. However, Raisel Iglesias, Ryan Helsley, and Devin Williams all signed before the Winter Meetings. There were rumors of the Blue Jays being linked to both Edwin Díaz and Robert Suarez, the top two relievers remaining on the free agent market when the meeting started, but Toronto struck out on both. Despite missing out on the top names on the market, the Blue Jays finally found their man to help in the late innings. They signed Tyler Rogers to a three-year, $37 million contract, with a fourth-year vesting option that would make it worth $48 million. It will be fun to watch Rogers pitch, as he is a submarine pitcher, which is rarely seen nowadays. Rogers spent seven seasons with the San Francisco Giants before he was traded at last season's deadline to the New York Mets. He has been stellar over his career, posting a 2.76 ERA, a 306:77 strikeout-to-walk ratio, a 3.31 FIP, and 154 holds over 424 innings. A welcome aspect of his game has been his ability to stay healthy. He has pitched at least 68 games in each of the last five seasons. The veteran will likely slide into a setup role, pitching in the seventh or eighth inning. He's better against right-handed batters thanks to his sinker-slider combo, with his slider breaking away from same-handed opponents. That being said, his low arm angle helps him fare well against batters on both sides of the plate, though his pitches are especially hard for right-handers to pick up on. Versus righties last season, Rogers had a 31:1 strikeout-to-walk ratio and allowed a .229 batting average. Against lefties, he produced a 17:6 strikeout-to-walk ratio, although they still managed just a .230 batting average off him. The Blue Jays may have waited longer than fans would have wanted to improve their bullpen, but they hit a home run signing Rogers. His ability to stay healthy and deceive batters will make him a welcome addition in Toronto. View full article

Putting aside the Bo Bichette and Kyle Tucker rumors, the Toronto Blue Jays' primary goal for the rest of this offseason is to improve their bullpen. Speaking to reporters (including DiamondCentric's John Bonnes) at the Winter Meetings, manager John Schneider said the bullpen "sticks out" as an area in need of help. Adding a high-leverage arm, he continued, should be a "priority." The Los Angeles Dodgers complicated things for Toronto by signing Edwin Díaz on Day 2 of the Winter Meetings. The former New York Met agreed to a three-year, $69 million contract, a raise from the $38 million over two years he had remaining on his contract with the Mets (that he opted out of). With Díaz off the board, only one surefire upgrade over Jeff Hoffman remains: Robert Suarez. Suarez opted out of the remaining two years and $16 million on his contract with the San Diego Padres. It was a wise decision, given that he is 35 and looking to earn around $15-20 million annually in a new deal. The righty has been one of the game's most elite relievers since he entered the major leagues in 2022. In three of his four seasons, he's posted an ERA under 3.00 with more than 47 innings pitched and held batters to a batting average under .190. He's also converted 76 of 87 save opportunities in the last two seasons when his role shifted to full-time closer. Baseball Savant ranked Suarez's fastball velocity last season (98.6 mph) in the 97th percentile. This firepower and his three-pitch arsenal, which also includes a changeup and sinker, helped him strike out a career high 75 batters last season. In terms of consistency, he'd be a massive upgrade over Hoffman, who was an unreliable closer for the Blue Jays last season. He threw 68 innings and posted a 4.37 ERA. While most of his underlying numbers were stronger, as is his track record, he struggled with giving up home runs. Hoffman allowed 15 long balls, the most among AL relievers. In his first crack at being a full-time closer, he blew seven of his 40 save opportunities, with a negative Win Probability Added. During the postseason this season, Hoffman was surprisingly elite. He posted a 1.46 ERA over 12 1/3 innings and held batters to a .143 batting average. He only allowed one home run, but it came off the bat of Miguel Rojas in the top of the ninth inning in Game 7 of the World Series to tie the game up and send it to extra innings. MLB Network's Jon Morosi has reported that the Blue Jays and Mets are some of the top suitors to sign Suarez. This isn't the first time they have been linked to the righty. The reliever market is dwindling quickly, so if the Blue Jays want to boost their bullpen, they'll need to move fast. The best remaining options after Suarez include Kenley Jansen, Shawn Armstrong, Tyler Rogers, and Pete Fairbanks. If the Blue Jays can't sign Suarez, it may be best to turn to internal options, such as Louis Varland and Braydon Fisher, for high-leverage opportunities. Re-signing Seranthony Domínguez is another possibility. The Blue Jays outrighted Yariel Rodríguez on the weekend, opening a spot on their 40-man roster. That means they still have a free space for an outside addition even after selecting Spencer Miles in the Rule 5 draft. However, it's more than possible that the Blue Jays roll the dice on Hoffman as closer for another season, with the hope that he returns to his 2023 and 2024 form. He posted a 2.28 ERA with 158 strikeouts to 35 walks in his two years with the Philadelphia Phillies. That said, even if it's not a closer, the Blue Jays still need a boost in the middle innings. The American League World Series representatives are primed to make another deep postseason run in 2026, but there are still improvements to be made. View full article

The Winter Meetings will be held in Orlando, Florida, from December 7-10 this offseason. This time period is often when major signings and trades occur, as all 30 MLB teams send representatives, including owners, executives, and managers. Players, their agents, and media also attend. In the past, we've seen athletes at the top of their game change teams, including Garrett Crochet, traded to the Boston Red Sox; Juan Soto, traded to the New York Yankees; Chris Sale, traded to the Red Sox; and Miguel Cabrera, traded to the Detroit Tigers. The Toronto Blue Jays will likely be a popular name at the meetings, and this could be the time to re-sign Bo Bichette or pursue Kyle Tucker. This will likely be a "one or the other" situation, as adding both would take regular at-bats away from Addison Barger or Ernie Clement, who both proved to be valuable assets down the stretch and in the postseason. A trade could happen as well, given their surplus of outfielders. So, these four days are when we, as fans, can sit back and react with shock and awe as top-tier talent moves teams, changing the landscape of MLB. Last year during the Winter Meetings, the Blue Jays acquired Andrés Giménez and Nick Sandlin via trade from the Cleveland Guardians. While we prepare for this year's Winter Meetings, let's take a look at some of the more notable Winter Meetings acquisitions the Blue Jays have made in the past. The most impactful trade the Blue Jays made during this period was acquiring Roberto Alomar and Joe Carter from the San Diego Padres in 1990, sending Fred McGriff and Tony Fernadez to the Padres. Both Alomar and Joe Carter were key cogs in the Blue Jays winning their only two World Series championships in 1992 and 1993. Carter's iconic walk-off home run in Game 6 of the 1993 World Series to clinch the victory was arguably the greatest moment in franchise history. The quote, "Touch 'em all, Joe, you'll never hit a bigger home run in your life," from longtime radio announcer Tom Cheek, will forever live in Blue Jays fans' memories. In 1996, the Blue Jays made history by signing Roger Clemens to a four-year, $31 million contract, which at the time was the largest contract (money-wise) ever given to a pitcher, and the largest contract in club history. He spent only two of those seasons in Toronto, but he was dominant. He'd have a combined 41-13 record, 2.33 ERA, and a 563:178 strikeout-to-walk ratio over 498 2/3 innings. Clemens won the AL Cy Young Award in both his seasons with the Blue Jays, too. After the 1978 season, the Blue Jays traded Clemens to the Yankees for Homer Bush, Graeme Lloyd, and David Wells. In 1992, the team bolstered its offense after its first World Series run by adding 36-year-old Paul Molitor on a three-year, $13 million contract. At the time of the signing, Molitor was a five-time All-Star and two-time Silver Slugger winner, all while with the Milwaukee Brewers. That first season in Toronto, he hit .332/.402/.509 with 22 home runs and 111 RBIs. In the World Series that year, he went 12-24 at the plate with two home runs. He also scored 10 runs and had eight RBIs, leading him to claim the MVP honors. The righty was an All-Star with the Blue Jays in the 1993 and 1994 seasons and claimed another Silver Slugger Award in 1993. He is still one of the most impactful Winter Meetings signings in Blue Jays history. The Blue Jays have had their fair share of failed attempts to acquire top-tier talent during the Winter Meetings, as well. They have several times found themselves among a player's final two or three options, only to be outbid in the end. In 2016, outfielder Dexter Fowler was the Blue Jays' primary target, but the St. Louis Cardinals outbid them. In 2022, the Blue Jays were outbid for arguably their three top targets: Brandon Nimmo (New York Mets), Justin Verlander (Mets), and Taijuan Walker (Philadelphia Phillies). More recently, the Blue Jays were in the running up to the end to dole out a pair of record-breaking contracts. They were in the mix for Shohei Ohtani during the 2023 Winter Meetings. He visited the team's spring training facility in Dunedin, Florida, but five days later, he signed a then-record $700-million, 10-year contract with the Los Angeles Dodgers. History repeated itself last year, when the Blue Jays were among the final bidders for Soto, but he signed a historic 15-year, $765 million contract with the Mets. Let's hope the phrase "the third time's a charm" plays out this Winter Meetings, as DiamondCentric's top free agent, Kyle Tucker, recently visited the Blue Jays' spring facility. There aren't many needs left for the Blue Jays this offseason, which may lead to a somewhat quiet Winter Meetings for the team. Most recently, the Jays addressed their need for more pitching depth by signing Cody Ponce. However, we the fans will still hope to hear news of Bichette returning to Toronto or another top-tier bat making his way north. View full article

The Toronto Blue Jays shocked the MLB world the night before American Thanksgiving by signing Dylan Cease to a seven-year, $210 million contract. With Cease joining an already strong starting rotation — featuring Kevin Gausman, Trey Yesavage, Shane Bieber, José Berríos, and now Cody Ponce as well — the Jays significantly bolstered their pitching staff. Although Berríos is expected to be ready for spring training, how he will fare during his recovery this offseason remains a big question. Regardless of who claims the fifth rotation spot, the Blue Jays are now positioned to have one of the best starting rotations in all of MLB. Yet, with such a significant contract added to their books, the question now shifts to whether the Blue Jays can still add a top-tier bat. The Blue Jays are expected to exceed the second Competitive Balance Tax threshold (set at $264 million) for a second consecutive year in 2026. That means they will pay a 30% tax on all overages (the penalty for teams that surpass the luxury tax threshold two years in a row) as well as a 12% surcharge on every dollar they spend past $264 million (the penalty for surpassing the first luxury tax threshold by more than $20 million). If their CBT payroll reaches $284 million ($40 million over the first CBT threshold), they will face both a significantly higher surcharge rate and the penalty of their first-round draft pick moving down 10 spots. The Jays surpassed this threshold in 2025, and they are already very close to surpassing it again. So, these financial and draft consequences could affect their decision to add more high-salary players. Signing a bat like Bo Bichette, who DiamondCentric projects to earn a $25 million annual salary, could put the Blue Jays over the fourth CBT threshold, at which point the surcharge on overages rises to 60%. Re-signing Bichette could still be worth it, especially if he stays at second base, where he played in the World Series. Last season, he struggled defensively with a -12 DRS and -13 OAA, both the lowest among shortstops. Yet, it would cost the Blue Jays significantly more than just the value of his salary. The Blue Jays still also need an upgrade at closer, or at least a new middle reliever, so they might prefer to add a bat via trade rather than sign another expensive free agent. Acquiring a player this way could help them keep their luxury tax bill down and possibly avoid further draft penalties. Potential trade targets include infielders Ketel Marte of the Diamondbacks and Brandon Lowe of the Rays. Other players rumored to be available include Phillies third baseman Alec Bohm, Red Sox outfielders Wilyer Abreu and Jarren Duran, and White Sox center fielder Luis Robert Jr. That said, since the outfield is already a logjam, any new bat is more likely to be an infielder. In any case, the Blue Jays are clearly set up to be one of the top teams again next season. Their offseason decisions in the coming weeks will be closely watched as they look to further improve an already elite team. View full article