Bryan Jaeger

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

Fresh off a World Series runner-up finish, the Blue Jays must aggressively address key weaknesses to return and win. Re-signing Bo Bichette is a notable question, alongside acquiring a back-end starting pitcher or reliever. While they can trade prospects, their MLB-ready outfield depth—young players with experience—could yield greater returns if used strategically. Nathan Lukes Lukes doesn't qualify as "young" because he's 31, but this past season was his third in MLB, though it was his first playing in more than 30 games. Due to injuries to Daulton Varsho and Anthony Santander, Lukes was leaned on for a career year. In 438 plate appearances, the left-handed hitter had a .730 OPS, 12 home runs, 55 runs, 65 RBIs, and a 103 wRC+. Lukes found himself hitting in front of Vladimir Guerrero Jr. for most of the season. His low strikeout rate (13 percent) led to him being a reliable option at the top of the lineup. Baseball Savant ranked Lukes in the 94th percentile for whiff percentage (14 percent). Defensively, Lukes was as outstanding with +10 DRS (defensive runs saved) in 909 1/3 innings. He only trailed Myles Straw for Blue Jays' outfielders in DRS, but Straw played 209 fewer innings. Lukes still has five years of team control, which, despite his age, would make him a popular target. Although he likely has the upper hand to start in left field next season for Toronto, as the roster stands now. Addison Barger Barger struggled in his MLB debut in 2024 (.601 OPS and 69 wRC+), but had a decent bounce-back in 2025 (.756 OPS and 107 wRC+). He had a significant power surge this past season, hitting 21 home runs, 61 runs, and 74 RBIs. Barger's biggest struggle is striking out, doing so 24 percent of the time. He spent time at the corner outfield positions and third base all season long, while filling in for injured players. His bat speed (75.9 mph) and hard-hit percentage (51 percent) rank him in the 93rd and 91st percentiles, respectively, which is appealing from the left side of the plate. Barger, at 26, has two pre-arbitration seasons remaining and one remaining MLB option. This favorable team control could help secure a top-tier talent at a position of need. It's likely a long shot that Barger gets traded unless the Blue Jays address the hot corner by adding another player. Davis Schneider Schneider has struggled to find consistent playing time in his three MLB seasons. His .708 OPS and 106 wRC+ this past season against left-handed pitchers are a little misleading, as he struggled mightily against lefties in 2024 (.528 OPS and 49 wRC+). As a righty, it won't help your case for playing time if you struggle against southpaws. Schneider could be a developmental piece for a team since he's 26, has two MLB options, and four seasons of team control. While he may not net a top-tier return like Lukes or Barger, trading him could still secure a back-of-the-rotation starting pitcher or a middle-inning bullpen arm, especially if his opportunities in the Blue Jays lineup remain limited. Joey Loperfido Loperfido came over in a trade at the 2024 trade deadline that sent Yusei Kikuchi to the Houston Astros. Loperfido was relied on this season when both Varsho and Santander were on the injured list. The 26-year-old had only 104 plate appearances this past season, but he posted an .879 OPS and a 148 wRC+. Loperfido could appeal to teams seeking a controllable outfielder. Including him in a trade—either as a primary piece or as part of a larger package—could help the Blue Jays acquire a higher-impact player to meet their pitching or positional needs. Trading a valuable outfielder could help the Blue Jays address primary pitching needs, but it risks future depth if injuries hit Varsho or Santander again. The potential reward—a quality starter or reliever for another title run—must be weighed against thinning a traditionally strong position. View full article

The Blue Jays had several top prospects eligible for protection from the Rule 5 draft, which is coming up on December 10. Still, they only added one – left-handed pitcher Ricky Tiedemann (Jays Centre's No. 5 prospect) – to the 40-man roster before Tuesday's deadline. This was surprising, as I also expected No. 11 prospect Josh Kasevich to be protected as a possible Bo Bichette replacement, though his lack of power is a concern. Tiedemann was almost certain to be protected, given his strong performance when healthy. In his 2022 minor league debut, he posted a 2.17 ERA across three levels, with a 117:29 strikeout-to-walk ratio over 78 2/3 innings. He held opponents to a .149 average with a 2.51 FIP. Although he regressed on the surface in 2023, he still recorded a 3.68 ERA and an 82:23 strikeout-to-walk ratio in only 44 innings (due to a biceps injury). His 1.68 FIP was highly impressive, especially considering he pitched most of his innings at Double A. Tiedemann continued to deal with injuries in early 2024. In July, he was removed from a game and subsequently required Tommy John surgery, causing him to miss the remainder of the 2024 season and all of 2025. This lack of experience could impact whether the 23-year-old will pitch in the Blue Jays' big league camp during spring training. Tiedemann's pitching arsenal contains a mid-90s fastball, a changeup, and a slider. His deceptive low arm slot helps him rack up strikeouts, exciting Blue Jays fans. However, he relies heavily on his fastball-slider combo and will need to develop additional pitches or improve his changeup. Major league hitters may capitalize if he only depends on two pitches he can command. The Blue Jays will likely ease Tiedemann in next season, meaning he may not make the Opening Day roster. With Trey Yesavage, Kevin Gausman, José Berríos, and Shane Bieber set to return to the rotation, the team can afford to be patient when it comes to Tiedemann's MLB debut. If those four stay healthy, the Blue Jays may use Eric Lauer as their fifth starter, allowing Tiedemann to ease into the season. This could lead to a scenario that mirrors Yesavage's rookie season; the 2024 first-round pick debuted in mid-September and delivered clutch postseason outings, including seven one-run innings with 12 strikeouts in Game 5 of the World Series, helping the Blue Jays take a 3-2 series lead. Regardless of when it happens, Blue Jays fans should expect to see Tiedemann take the mound for the major league team at some point next season. View full article

With December's Winter Meetings approaching, free agency rumors around the Blue Jays are intensifying. The central question is whether Bo Bichette will be re-signed. If he doesn't return, a significant void arises in the batting order, and urgent solutions will be needed. Jeff Passan of ESPN reports the Blue Jays want a left-handed hitter to pair with Vladimir Guerrero Jr. Kyle Schwarber and Kyle Tucker have been suggested, but they are widely sought after, and each could earn about $34–36 million annually. The Blue Jays may look at less expensive options after losing out on top talent in recent offseasons, including Shohei Ohtani, Roki Sasaki, Corbin Burnes, Max Fried, and Juan Soto. Passan now links the Blue Jays to Cody Bellinger as a more affordable option than Schwarber or Tucker. DiamondCentric projects a six-year, $130 million contract for Bellinger. Last season with the New York Yankees, he hit .272/.334/.480 with 89 runs, 29 home runs, 98 RBIs, an .814 OPS, and a 125 wRC+. He can play any outfield position or first base, though the team values Guerrero's glove at first. George Springer will likely remain the primary designated hitter to stay healthy. The Blue Jays' outfield is crowded with Nathan Lukes, Daulton Varsho, and Anthony Santander returning. However, with Varsho's and Santander's injury histories, a healthier option would be a smart addition, and Lukes can come off the bench. Bellinger has played at least 130 games in each of the last four seasons. As the World Series showed, the Blue Jays need more offense, and if Bichette doesn't return, Bellinger could fill the resulting production gap. Featured image courtesy of Brad Penner, Imagn Images. View full rumor

The Blue Jays' number five prospect, Ricky Tiedemann, was Rule 5 eligible and was headed for the Rule 5 draft on December 10. However, the Blue Jays protected him by adding him to the 40-man roster. The 23-year-old had impressive first two MLB seasons, posting a 2.17 ERA over 78 2/3 innings in 2022 and a 3.68 ERA over 44 innings in 2023. He missed most of the 2023 season due to a biceps injury. He was still dealing with the injury at the start of the 2024 season. In July, he left a game due to another injury and subsequently required Tommy John surgery. This surgery caused him to miss the remainder of 2024 and the entire 2025 season while recovering. Being added to the 40-man roster shows the Blue Jays have MLB plans for Tiedemann next season. The team could use a fifth starter instead of Eric Lauer, and Tiedemann could take his spot as the lefty in the rotation. If the prospect can replicate his early success in spring training next season, he could make the Opening Day roster. This decision will also depend on the Blue Jays' offseason moves. Tiedemann could also be a late-season call-up, following the Trey Yesavage path, and join for the postseason run if needed. View full rumor

The Arizona Fall League has concluded, and the Toronto Blue Jays had several representatives who participated in the campaign. The league has six teams, and every MLB team sends at least seven top prospects to its affiliated club. The Blue Jays' prospects played for the Glendale Desert Dogs, who finished 11-16 and were eliminated during the play-in round of the playoffs. The AFL is, unofficially, the culmination of the minor league season, allowing teams to assess how their prospects perform against high-level competition. Thirty-three of the 80 players in the 2025 MLB All-Star Game once played in the AFL, with 10 of the 20 players in the starting lineups among them. Here's how the Blue Jays' prospects performed this year. *All prospect rankings from Jays Centre and MLB Pipeline Josh Kasevich - SS (JC No. 11, MLB Pipeline No. 12 prospect) Kasevich finished the 2024 season in Triple-A Buffalo, hitting .325/.382/.433 with a .815 OPS in 173 plate appearances for the affiliate. He likely held hopes of an MLB in 2025, but he aggravated a preexisting lower back injury, causing him to miss a majority of the season. His rehab stints in the rookie and Single-A affiliates were successful, as he hit a combined .368/.478/.395 with an .873 OPS. Yet, after being activated from the 60-day injury list on August 15, Kasevich struggled in his Triple-A Buffalo return, slashing .173/.272/.184 with a .456 OPS in 114 plate appearances. The Jays Centre No. 11 prospect performed slightly better in the AFL, where he hit .255/.419/.255 with a .674 OPS and drew 17 walks compared to 11 strikeouts in 74 plate appearances. His .327 weighted on-base average (wOBA), an advanced metric that measures a hitter's total offensive value, ranked in the 36th percentile among all hitters in the AFL, meaning it was lower than that of most players in the league. Despite a 92.4 mph average exit velocity — ranked in the 80th percentile, indicating above-average power off the bat — his strength and discipline at the plate have not yet translated to home run power. Kasevich is eligible for this winter's Rule 5 draft, which means that to protect him, the Blue Jays would need to add him to the 40-man roster. His injury likely complicates that decision and will presumably keep him off the roster. Even though his in-game power production is low, his on-base and defensive skills at a prime position could increase his chances of being selected by another team. That said, if he doesn't get selected and the Blue Jays don't re-sign Bo Bichette this offseason, Kasevich may have a shot at making his MLB debut in 2026. Cutter Coffey - 3B (MLB Pipeline No. 27 prospect) Coffey came over in the trade package that sent Danny Jansen to the Boston Red Sox at the 2024 trade deadline. He struggled with High-A Vancouver after the trade, hitting .185/.309/.272 with a .581 OPS. He spent this season still in High-A, but had far more success (.273/.359/.427 with .786 OPS). His 11 home runs, 68 runs, and 62 knocked in over 440 plate appearances earned him the Canadians' Offensive Player of the Year Award. Coffey has drawn comparisons to a right-handed Addison Barger from within the organization. The 21-year-old was one of the top performers in the AFL. He slashed .354/.447/.462 with a .909 OPS and a .404 wOBA. This wOBA placed him in the 77th percentile among AFL players (meaning he performed better than 77% of them). However, his .108 isolated power (ISO, a measure of raw power) was slightly below average, at the 43rd percentile, and his 86.5 mph average exit velocity (23rd percentile) was among the lowest in the AFL. He's not eligible for the Rule 5 draft until the 2026 offseason, which means he will continue to develop his skills in the minors. He doesn't need to be added to the 40-man roster until next winter. With his success this season in High A, Coffey may start next season with Double-A New Hampshire. Edward Duran - C (MLB Pipeline No. 13 prospect) Duran came over at the 2022 trade deadline in a package that also included Anthony Bass and Zach Pop, which the Blue Jays received in exchange for sending Jordan Groshans to the Miami Marlins. His skill set is described as that of a defense-first catcher and a contact hitter. Over his five minor league seasons, he has never hit more than eight home runs, which he achieved this season across a combined 431 plate appearances in Single and High A. Duran struggled in the AFL, hitting .152/.263/.394 with a .657 OPS over 38 plate appearances. His .242 isolated power (ISO) ranked in the 87th percentile among AFL hitters, higher than that of any of his fellow Blue Jays prospects. However, the catcher's .286 wOBA (26th percentile) and his 83.5 mph average exit velocity (20th percentile) ranked among the lowest in the league, underscoring his offensive struggles compared to his peers. Duran is Rule 5 eligible this winter, but it's unlikely that he will be protected (by being added to the 40-man roster) or selected in the draft. Alex Amalfi - RHP Amalfi spent his first three seasons in the minor leagues in Single-A and High-A affiliates, where he started five of the 64 games he pitched in. He continued in the bullpen this season with Double-A New Hampshire before getting moved to the starting rotation in August. He posted a combined 4.41 ERA, 1.33 WHIP, and a 100:47 strikeout-to-walk ratio over 87 2/3 innings, but he was slightly more successful as a starter, posting a 3.86 ERA and 1.20 WHIP in 11 starts. The right-hander was likely sent to the AFL to get more starts against tougher competition, but he struggled in his five AFL outings, posting a 9.95 ERA, 2.37 WHIP, and allowing batters to hit .321 off of him. His 8.8 percent strikeout percentage, which ranked in the fifth percentile, and 19.1 percent walk percentage (27th percentile) ranked among the worst marks in the league, indicating below-average strikeout ability and worse-than-average control compared to his peers. Amalfi is Rule 5 eligible this winter, but his lack of recent success will likely keep him from being selected. Angel Bastardo - RHP (MLB Pipeline No. 29 prospect) Bastardo, a Rule 5 draft pick by the Blue Jays in 2024, missed 2025 after Tommy John surgery. Before his injury, he posted a 4.76 ERA, 1.37 WHIP, and a 357:145 strikeout-to-walk ratio over five minor league seasons. Though added to the AFL roster to get some work this year, he did not pitch. Due to his Rule 5 status and time on the injured list, he must be active for the Jays for at least 90 days in 2026 or be offered back to the Red Sox. Kai Peterson - LHP Peterson has only played two minor league seasons, but he excelled this year. In High A, he had a 2.74 ERA and 1.22 WHIP over 42 23/3 innings in relief. He earned a promotion to Double A on August 14. However, his success didn't translate. He only threw 7 2/3 innings, but had a 4.70 ERA and 2.09 WHIP. His addition to the AFL roster was likely to provide him with more experience against tougher competition. The 23-year-old continued to struggle in the AFL. He threw 7 1/3 innings, posting a 7.59 ERA and 2.18 WHIP, allowing batters to hit .276 off of him. Peterson struggled with control, walking eight batters. He is considered an off-speed pitcher, primarily throwing a changeup, slider, and sinker; however, his maximum velocity of 93.3 mph (14th percentile) was one of the slowest in the AFL. He becomes Rule 5 eligible after the 2026 season, so the Blue Jays have another season to evaluate their young lefty. Yondrei Rojas - RHP Rojas struggled from 2022 through 2024 at the rookie level and in Single A. He never posted an ERA under 4.30. However, he flipped a switch this season and was outstanding. He had his best season as a minor leaguer in 2025 while in High A and Double A. The righty posted a 1.43 ERA combined between the two levels across 37 2/3 innings with a 0.88 WHIP, a 47:11 strikeout-to-walk ratio, and a .167 opponents’ batting average. Rojas became one of the Blue Jays' more notable pitching prospects during the season. However, in his first time facing tougher competition in the AFL, Rojas struggled. He pitched 2 1/3 innings, posting a 30.86 ERA with a 2:2 strikeout-to-walk ratio and a 3.00 WHIP, allowing hitters to bat .385 off him. The righty is Rule 5 eligible and would have likely been added to the 40-man roster to be protected if it weren’t for his poor AFL performance. His dominant minor league stats may still appeal to teams, but his AFL struggles provide essential context for his (lack of) readiness. Chay Yeager - RHP Yeager thrived in High A this season, posting a 1.77 ERA with a 43:13 strikeout-to-walk ratio while holding batters to a .126 average against him over 35 2/3 innings. His promotion to Double A was less successful, as he posted a 4.50 ERA and was hit harder, allowing a .269 batting average against him. However, he still maintained an impressive 21:7 strikeout-to-walk ratio. His struggles carried over to the AFL, where he has posted a 9.00 ERA over nine innings. His control was an issue, as shown by his 7:7 strikeout-to-walk ratio, and he allowed three home runs. His strikeout rate (22nd percentile) and walk rate (45th percentile, about league average) were on the lower end of the league ranks. However, his 98.1 mph max velocity ranked among the fastest in the AFL. He becomes Rule 5 eligible after the 2026 season. View full article

Shane Bieber's decision to opt in for the 2026 season with the Toronto Blue Jays strengthens the starting rotation. He'll rejoin Kevin Gausman, Trey Yesavage, and José Berríos, although Berríos's 2026 status remains uncertain. The righty missed the postseason after being shut down in September due to an elbow issue, leaving his availability for next year's Opening Day in question. If Berríos will be sidelined at the start, the Blue Jays absolutely need to find a free agent arm. But if he's healthy, could Eric Lauer, Bowden Francis, or Easton Lucas fit as the fifth starter? Lauer spent 2024 in the Korea Baseball Organization but returned to MLB this past season. The Blue Jays relied on him heavily, especially after Francis struggled and sustained a shoulder injury. Lauer pitched in 28 games (15 starts), with a 9-2 record, a 3.18 ERA, and a 102:26 strikeout-to-walk ratio. The lefty began the season as a long reliever before moving into the starting rotation to fill the gap left by Francis. This move placed a heavier burden on Brendon Little, who saw his workload jump to a career-high 79 games as the bullpen's sole reliable left-hander. Mason Fluharty and Justin Bruihl stepped in as extra left-handed bullpen arms during the regular season, but struggled. Fluharty had a 4.44 ERA in 52 2/3 innings, though he rebounded with 5 1/3 scoreless September innings before struggling again in October. Bruihl posted a 5.27 ERA in 13 2/3 regular season innings and gave up another two runs in one outing in the playoffs. Currently, FanGraphs has Lauer as the fifth starter. If Fluharty continues to struggle, will the Blue Jays risk another career-high workload for Little, or return Lauer to the bullpen and hope for a bounce-back from Francis or Lucas? Francis excelled in his 2023 debut (excluding his 2/3 innings in 2022). He pitched 36 1/3 innings out of the bullpen, posted a 1.73 ERA, and tallied a 35:8 strikeout-to-walk ratio. In 2024, he added another impressive campaign, posting a 3.30 ERA over 103 2/3 innings and recording a 92:22 strikeout-to-walk ratio. He started his last 10 appearances of the season, producing a 2.92 ERA in 77 innings and holding opponents to a .166 average as a starter. The Blue Jays rode this success into 2025, but Francis struggled. He posted a 6.05 ERA over 64 innings. Control caused significant issues for the 29-year-old, who produced a 54:27 strikeout-to-walk ratio and surrendered 19 home runs. Opponents hit .283 off him. The team placed Francis on the injured list on June 17 with a right shoulder impingement, causing him to miss the rest of the season. Lucas, with only 42 2/3 MLB innings and an 8.02 ERA over three years, must impress in spring training to make the 26-man roster. So, the Blue Jays' best option could be to test Francis in spring training, evaluating the impact of his past shoulder injury. If Francis rebounds, Lauer can remain in the bullpen, where he posted a 1.76 ERA over 30 2/3 innings in 2025. This roster alignment would support both rotation stability and bullpen depth. View full article

After their heartbreaking loss to the Los Angeles Dodgers in the World Series, the Toronto Blue Jays' offseason has already started exceptionally well. Their starting rotation had three strong pitchers returning: Kevin Gausman, rookie sensation Trey Yesavage, and José Berríos. On the back end, RosterResource had Eric Lauer and Bowden Francis projected to finish out the rotation. This projected rotation made finding at least a back-end starter a priority. However, the team received great news on Tuesday night. Shane Bieber elected to stay in Toronto for another season by opting in to his $16 million player option. If Bieber had opted out, he'd have received a $4 million buyout. This decision gives the Blue Jays a one-time ace, who pitched well in his short 2025 season. The righty made his debut this year on August 22 due to his recovery from Tommy John surgery, which he went for after only two starts in 2024. Bieber made seven regular season starts in 2025, posting a 3.57 ERA and 37 strikeouts over 40 1/3 innings. In the playoffs, he pitched in five games (one in relief), posting a 3.86 ERA and striking out 18 over 18 2/3 innings. These outings included a pivotal Game 3 start in the ALCS, when the Blue Jays were down 0-2 in the series. He gave up a two-run home run to Julio Rodríguez in the top of the first. Then, over the next five innings, he allowed only two hits and zero runs, helping the Blue Jays secure a win to get back into the series. Unfortunately, what fans will best remember is the Game 7, 11th-inning home run he gave up to Will Smith in relief during the World Series. That home run proved to be the series-winner for the Dodgers. This arrangement could prove to be perfect for both sides. The 30-year-old Bieber could have earned more by opting out. However, he would have likely secured a short two- or three-year deal, given the uncertainty of how he would perform over an entire season. This season is essentially a prove-yourself year for him to secure a longer deal next offseason. He also ensures peace of mind, knowing the Blue Jays don't need him to perform at top-tier ace status. The team only needs him to be a quality mid-rotation starter. For the Blue Jays, it means adding a former Cy Young Award winner (2020) on a short-term, discounted deal. With Chris Bassitt and Max Scherzer heading to free agency, Bieber's return allows the club to focus more on other needs over the winter. This will, however, hinge on Berríos's availability at the start of 2026, as he was shut down in September and missed the postseason with an elbow injury. There has been no update on his status as of yet. If his injury forces him to miss time at the beginning of next season, then the Blue Jays will need to revisit their plan of pursuing a difference-making starting pitcher. In addition to Lauer and Francis being fits for the back end of the rotation, the Jays also have Easton Lucas as an option. However, if Berríos misses time, the Blue Jays will need more starting depth. The team has the luxury this offseason of not needing to add too many pieces to contend for another World Series trip next season. They will return all but one player from their optimal offensive starting lineup if their players stay healthy during the offseason. Another bullpen arm would be nice, but most of the questions this offseason will revolve around whether the Blue Jays decide to re-sign Bo Bichette. View full article