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    Notes about the team are posted here.

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      Brock Beauchamp

      The 2026 MLB season is right around the corner, and we're looking to expand our video coverage. Have you ever considered being on-camera and talking about the Blue Jays? If yes, we'd love to talk to you about it.

      Our videos are typically in a wide variety of styles: breaking news, analysis, and historical study. We're open to any and all ideas as long as they're centered around the Toronto Blue Jays. We're looking for serious baseball talk, so leave the hot takes at home.

      If you'd like to learn more about this cool little side gig, please email Brock Beauchamp at brock.beauchamp@jayscentre.com.

      Here is an example of a recent Blue Jays video from us:

      Leo Morgenstern

      We'll never know exactly how much extra cash the Blue Jays brought in with their run to the World Series last fall. It's may not even be possible to put an exact number on it. Still, financial details have slowly emerged over the past few months.  

      Earlier in January, a report came out suggesting that Toronto's playoff run was worth "over $100 million" to the organization. Then, on Thursday, Rogers CEO Tony Staffieri provided details about the company's fourth quarter earnings. 

      Rogers' media revenue over the final three months of 2025 was $1.24 billion. That's significantly more than twice their revenue from the last quarter of 2024 ($547 million). While note all of that can be attributed to the Blue Jays (Staffieri also credited increased revenue from Maple Leaf Sports & Entertainment (MLSE), which Rogers officially purchased an additional 37.5% stake in last summer. Still, it's clear that the Blue Jays pulled in an enormous amount of money over the 18 games they played in October. Hopefully, ownership will continue to invest that money back into the roster. 

      Staffieri also confirmed that Game 7 of the World Series between the Blue Jays and Dodgers was "the most watched Rogers broadcast ever." In fact, it was "the most-watched broadcast in Canada’s history" outside of the 2010 Winter Olypmics. On top of the financial implications of the Blue Jays' national popularity, it's just plain exciting to think about how beloved this team can be when it's playing winning baseball.

      Featured image courtesy of Nick Turchiaro, Imagn Images.

      Leo Morgenstern

      Last week, the Blue Jays announced the signings of 27 international free agents, including catcher Juan Caricote and outfielder Michael Mesa. On Tuesday, Sportsnet's Shi Davidi published a scouting report of several of those international signings, and his article also included further information about several of the players' signing bonuses.

      Initial reports from MLB.com and Baseball America offered slightly different bonus figures for both Caricote and Mesa. Davidi has Caricote's bonus at $1.95 million, in line with Baseball America's report, and Mesa's bonus at $800,000, in line with MLB.com's report. In addition, Davidi confirmed Aneudy Severino's previously reported $700,000 bonus – and that his name is spelled with a "y" at the end. (MLB.com and the announcement from the Blue Jays both spelled his name with an "i" instead.)

      Caricote, Mesa, and Severino received the three largest bonuses the Blue Jays awarded. Davidi also noted the bonuses for a handful of players whose contract details were previously unreported

      • Right-hander Abrahan Diaz: $250,000 
      • Shortstop Sebastian Casanova: $180,000
      • Shortstop Gabriel Porras: $70,000

      These six known bonuses account for $3.95 million of Toronto's total $5.94 million bonus pool.

      Finally, Davidi confirmed that right-hander Alieski Torres ($200,000) and left-hander Celwin Hurkmans ($150,000) signed in December, so their bonuses count towards last year's international signing period bonus pool.

      For more details on all these players, I highly recommend checking out Davidi's piece (before coming back to discuss the Blue Jays' newest prospects in the comments below).

      Featured image courtesy of Denny Medley, Imagn Images.

      Leo Morgenstern

      Last week, the Toronto Blue Jays signed two more players to minor league contracts, as reflected by the MLB.com transaction tracker: right-handed pitcher Connor Seabold and catcher C.J. Stubbs.

      Seabold, 30, has pitched for the Red Sox, Rockies, Rays, and Braves, as well as the Samsung Lions of the KBO. He owns a 7.79 ERA and 5.22 xERA in 119 MLB innings from 2021-25. The righty has experience as both a starter and a reliever.

      Stubbs, 29, made his MLB debut last year after five-plus seasons in the minor leagues. He played in the Astros organization from 2019-24 before he was released and signed with the Nationals. It was with Washington that he finally played his first big league game, starting at catcher (and going 0-for-3) on September 1, 2025. He was optioned back to the minors the next day.

      Neither Seabold nor Stubbs is likely to play a significant role for Toronto in 2026, but it wouldn't be surprising to see Seabold appear out of the bullpen at some point during the year. As for Stubbs, he'll be more of an emergency backup to the backup (to the backup); his most important job will be as a veteran presence at Triple-A Buffalo.

      Featured image courtesy of Brad Mills, Imagn Images.

      Leo Morgenstern

      Blue Jays pitchers and catchers will report to the team's spring training complex in Dunedin on February 11, while the first full-squad workout is scheduled for February 16. Five days later – exactly one month from today – the Jays will host the Phillies for their first game of the spring. 

      Today, the Blue Jays announced the names of 20 non-roster invitees who will be joining the players from the 40-man roster (and several more NRIs) in big league training camp. It's an exciting list, made up of eight pitchers and 12 position players and including many of the top prospects in the system. All of these NRIs are rookie eligible, except for Yariel Rodríguez, who was outrighted off the 40-man earlier this winter.

      The Blue Jays have also extended a spring training invitation to several free agents they signed to minor league deals. This includes left-hander Michael Plassmeyer, right-hander Jorge Alcala, outfielder/DH Eloy Jiménez, and utility players Rafael Lantigua and Carlos Mendoza.

      Featured image courtesy of Kim Klement Neitzel, Imagn Images.

      Leo Morgenstern

      On Wednesday afternoon, the Toronto Blue Jays formally announced that they've signed five free agents to minor league contracts: left-hander Michael Plassmeyer, right-hander Jorge Alcala, outfielder/DH Eloy Jiménez, and utility players Rafael Lantigua and Carlos Mendoza. All five will be invited to major league spring training.

      Jays Centre previously covered the signings of Plassmeyer, Mendoza, and Jiménez. Alcala is a seven-year MLB veteran who spent the 2025 season with the Twins, Red Sox, and Cardinals. Lantigua played in Toronto's minor league system from 2017-24 before spending 2025 in the Phillies organization.

      Two more notable players the Blue Jays have reportedly signed to minor league deals are Josh Winckowski and Nic Enright, though neither contract has been confirmed yet. The Jays also signed Rodolfo Castro to a minor league deal earlier this winter, but they recently released him so he could pursue an opportunity in Japan.

      Featured image courtesy of Aaron Cobb/Toronto Blue Jays, Imagn Images.

      Leo Morgenstern

      According to the transaction log on Rodolfo Castro's MLB player page, the Toronto Blue Jays released the infielder on January 9. On Tuesday, 7 News reporter Ari Alexander reported that Castro was granted his release so he could sign with the Hokkaido Nippon-Ham Fighters of Nippon Professional Baseball.

      Castro, 26, signed a minor league contract with the Blue Jays this past November. He played in the majors with the Pirates and Phillies from 2021-23.

      Jays Centre's Jesse Burrill wrote about Castro in a roundup of minor league signings last month:

      Quote

      If the name Rodolfo Castro stands out, you might remember him from a play in 2022 when his cellphone famously flew out of his back pocket during a headfirst slide into third base. The incident earned him a one-game suspension under MLB’s electronic device policy.

      The now 26-year-old does have 194 MLB games under his belt, and although he hasn’t hit well (career 83 wRC+), Castro does still have a nice combination of power and speed. While he has played all over the infield, third base appears to be his best defensive fit.

      Castro had been a switch-hitter his whole career, but gave it up to hit strictly right-handed in 2025. 

      Featured image courtesy of Reinhold Matay, Imagn Images.

      Leo Morgenstern

      As first reported by Mike Rodriguez (and later confirmed by ESPN's Alden González), the Toronto Blue Jays have agreed to a minor league contract with Eloy Jiménez that includes an invitation to big league spring training. The outfielder/DH spent the final month of the 2025 season in the Blue Jays organization. 

      Jiménez, 29, did not play in the majors last season. He spent most of the year with the Durham Bulls, the Triple-A affiliate of the Tampa Bay Rays, before he was released in July and subsequently signed a minor league pact with the Blue Jays. He didn't hit very well in Durham, slashing .278/.335/.397 for a 93 wRC+, but he really struggled with the Buffalo Bisons, going just 3-for-18 with a 48 wRC+.

      Despite his recent issues, Jiménez still comes with upside. At his best, he was a fearsome right-handed slugger, and he owns a career .780 OPS and 112 wRC+ in the big leagues. Not yet 30, it's more than possible he could rediscover the power that made him such a talented hitter earlier in his career. This is a no-risk signing for the Blue Jays, and the rewards could be plentiful if they help Jiménez get back on track.

      Featured image courtesy of Jonathan Dyer, Imagn Images.

      Leo Morgenstern

      On Friday, the Washington Nationals claimed right-handed pitcher Paxton Schultz off waivers from the Toronto Blue Jays. The 28-year-old will compete for their role in Washington's Opening Day bullpen.

      The Blue Jays designated Schultz for assignment last weekend to open a spot for Kazuma Okamoto on their 40-man roster. After four seasons in Toronto's minor league system, the righty made his MLB debut for the Jays in 2025. He threw 24.2 innings with a 4.38 ERA.

      If Schultz had passed through waivers unclaimed, the Blue Jays could have sent him outright to the minors, thereby keeping him in the organization as depth for 2026. Instead, he will now get a better chance to establish himself in the majors with a much less competitive club.

      Featured image courtesy of Dan Hamilton, Imagn Images.

      Leo Morgenstern

      According to D.M. Fox of the Future Blue Jays Newsletter, the Toronto Blue Jays have been in touch with "most of their players and prospects in Venezuela." Thankfully, all the players they've been in contact with (and their families) are safe, though Fox adds that the organization is "still working on reaching a few players."

      On Tuesday, DiamondCentric's Seth Stohs wrote about how the strikes in Venezuela could affect the landscape of the 2026 MLB season and beyond. You can read what he wrote here.

      Featured image courtesy of Sam Navarro, Imagn Images.

      Leo Morgenstern

      Earlier this winter, Jays Centre contributor Bob Ritchie estimated that the Blue Jays made $36.9 million in revenue from their share of the gate receipts from the 2025 postseason. 

      Of course, as Bob acknowledged, there were several more sources of revenue related to the postseason that he did not have enough information consider, including the TV and radio broadcasts. 

      On Monday, a new report from the Financial Post offered more clarity as to just how much money the Jays brought in from their run to the World Series. An estimate from a National Bank of Canada analyst suggests “the MLB playoff run was worth over $100 million” in revenue for Blue Jays ownership.

      I wouldn’t be surprised if that’s still a conservative number. After all, there are so many ways a playoff run can indirectly increase a team's revenue. For example, I wonder if that $100 million estimate includes the ad revenue Rogers brought in from all the extra traffic the Sportsnet website and YouTube channel were surely getting last October. 

      Not to mention, the monetary benefits of a deep postseason run don’t go away when the postseason ends.

      In addition to all the extra tickets and TV/streaming packages the Blue Jays/Rogers will be able to sell, consider how much more the Jays can charge their advertisers in 2026. That $100 million is really just a jumping-off point.  

      With that in mind, it’s hardly surprising that Toronto has already committed more than $300 million to free agents this winter. And with a projected payroll that’s still only $21 million higher than it was last season (per RosterResource), it really is believable that this team is still in the market for top free agents Kyle Tucker and Bo Bichette.

      Can the Blue Jays become the Dodgers of the north? I say, why the heck not?

      Featured image courtesy of Nick Turchiaro, Imagn Images.

      Leo Morgenstern

      The Toronto Blue Jays made their four-year, $60 million contract with NPB star Kazuma Okamoto official on Sunday, just before his posting window closed. A six-time NPB All-Star, Okamoto was one of the top hitters on the free agent market.

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      To make room for Okamoto on their 40-man roster, the Jays designated right-handed pitcher Paxton Schultz for assignment. The 28-year-old has been in the organization since May 2021, when he arrived from the Brewers as the player to be named later to complete the Derek Fisher trade. The Jays had acquired Fisher two years earlier in a deal that sent Aaron Sanchez, Joe Biagini, and Cal Stevenson to the Astros. (You can read more about active Blue Jays trade strings at this link.)

      Schultz made his MLB debut with Toronto in 2025, pitching to a 4.38 ERA and 3.83 xERA over 24.2 innings. He struck out 28 batters (25.5%) and walked only eight (7.3%).

      In his very first outing, Schultz threw 4.1 innings of scoreless relief against the Mariners, striking out eight of the 16 hitters he faced. Unfortunately, he never looked that sharp again. Following a mid-summer IL stint with middle finger inflammation, the righty only made one more appearance for the major league club, a scoreless inning on August 24. He was recalled once more in September but did not pitch in a game, nor did he pitch for Toronto in the playoffs. 

      With all that in mind, it's not a shock to see Schultz DFA'd. He gave the Blue Jays some good innings in 2025, but roster spots are a valuable commodity. The Jays have significantly improved their pitching staff this offseason, not only with the likes of Dylan Cease, Cody Ponce, and Tyler Rogers, but also more promising depth arms like Chase Lee and Spencer Miles. Eventually, Schultz became the odd man out. 

      If Schultz clears waivers, the Blue Jays will be able to outright him to the minors and keep him in their organization. However, considering the promise he flashed in 2025, it wouldn't be surprising to see another team put in a claim. 

      Featured image courtesy of Dan Hamilton, Imagn Images.

      Leo Morgenstern

      According to a report from Steve Adams of MLB Trade Rumors, the Blue Jays have agreed to a two-year minor league contract with right-hander Josh Winckowski. He was cut by the Red Sox earlier this offseason.

      Winckowski, 27, will now return to the organization that selected him in the 2016 draft. He played the first four seasons of his professional career in the Blue Jays' system before he was traded to the Mets and Red Sox in quick succession during the 2020-21 offseason. The righty would go on to make his MLB debut for Boston in 2022. Since then, he has thrown 242.1 big league innings, all for the Red Sox, pitching to a 4.20 ERA and 4.36 xERA.

      After spending much of the 2025 season on the injured list with elbow inflammation, Winckowski underwent an internal brace procedure in December (per Adams). That will keep him out for most of 2026, which explains the two-year minor league contract, but Adams notes that Winckowski hopes to return before the end of the season. 

      Adams also mentions that the Blue Jays are planning to stretch Winckowski back out as a starter. He started 14 games as a rookie in 2022 but has primarily worked as a reliever since. However, he did start three games at Triple-A in 2025 and a handful of games at both the Triple-A and MLB levels the year before.

      Winckowski was the second pitcher the Blue Jays inked to a two-year minor league contract on New Year's Eve. Earlier in the day, they came to terms on a similar deal with fellow right-hander Nic Enright.

      Featured image courtesy of Nathan Ray Seebeck, Imagn Images.

      Leo Morgenstern

      According to ESPN's Alden González, the Blue Jays have agreed to a two-year minor league contract with reliever Nic Enright.

      Enright, 28, finally made it to the majors in 2025, after cancer treatment derailed his career from 2022-24. The right-hander threw 31 innings for the Guardians in his rookie campaign, pitching to a 2.03 ERA and 3.75 xERA. He collected his first MLB win, hold, and save, while striking out 30 and limiting opponents to a .618 OPS.

      Unfortunately, Enright hit the injured list in September and underwent Tommy John surgery in October, ending his 2026 season before it could begin. Hence, the two-year minor league contract: He'll spend next season rehabbing in the Blue Jays organization, and, hopefully, he'll be ready to compete for a role with the team in 2027.

      Featured image courtesy of Jerome Miron-Imagn Images.

      Leo Morgenstern

      On Friday, the Associated Press reported that nine teams, including the Toronto Blue Jays, will pay the competitive balance tax for the 2025 MLB season. Toronto's bill came in at $13,609,719 on a $286,135,551 CBT payroll.

      The Blue Jays avoided paying the luxury tax in 2024, so they were able to reset their penalties. That means that, unlike the Dodgers, Mets, Yankees, Phillies, Astros, and Rangers, the Blue Jays did not face a higher charge for having exceeded the CBT threshold in consecutive seasons. However, they will still pay the fifth-highest luxury tax bill in the league, and their top pick in next year's draft will be moved back 10 spots because their payroll exceeded the third threshold of $281 million.

      In 2026, the third threshold will rise to $284 million, but the Blue Jays are already well past that number, according to RosterResource. With an estimated CBT payroll of around $294 million, there is a very good chance that Toronto will be over the fourth (and highest) luxury tax threshold by the end of next season. 

      Featured image courtesy of Nick Turchiaro, Imagn Images.

      Leo Morgenstern

      According to Sportsnet's Shi Davidi, the Toronto Blue Jays were awarded 24% of the $128.2 million postseason revenue player pool. That works out to approximately $30.8 million. 

      A full share of the pool was set at $354,118, and Davidi notes the Blue Jays gave out 70 full shares. That adds up to $24.8 million, suggesting the Jays gave out an additional $6 million in partial shares and/or special awards. 

      Quote

      From the MLB.com glossary:

      The players' pool is formed from 50 percent of the gate receipts from the Wild Card Games; 60 percent of the gate receipts from the first three games of the Division Series; 60 percent of the gate receipts from the first four games of the League Championship Series; and 60 percent of the gate receipts from the first four games of the World Series.

      Players from each team vote on how many full or partial shares to award to other club personnel.

      Covering the news for The Athletic, Dodgers beat writer Fabian Ardaya explains that most team staff members, "such as team media relations directors, grounds crew members, traveling secretaries and others," cannot receive shares, but the players can vote to give them cash awards instead. Team executives are not eligible for any payments from the postseason revenue pool.

      Featured image courtesy of Jayne Kamin-Oncea, Imagn Images.

      Leo Morgenstern

      The Toronto Blue Jays confirmed their signing of reliever Tyler Rogers this evening. As reported, the contract is a three-year pact with a vesting option for 2029. The right-hander will earn a guaranteed $37 million over the course of the deal, including a $1 million buyout on the $12 million vesting option.

      To make room for Rogers on the 40-man roster, the Blue Jays designated fellow reliever Justin Bruihl for assignment. The southpaw appeared in 15 games for Toronto this past season, allowing 10 runs (eight earned) in 13.2 innings. He struck out 18 but walked seven. Bruihl also gave up two runs (one earned) in his lone postseason appearance. 

      Given his poor performance in 2025, this DFA hardly comes as a surprise. However, losing Bruihl would be a hit to Toronto's left-handed relief depth. 

      If Bruihl passes through waivers, he will most likely elect free agency. If that happens, the Blue Jays could attempt to re-sign him on a minor league deal. 

      Featured image courtesy of Rick Osentoski, Imagn Images.

      Leo Morgenstern

      Shoulder and back injuries kept Anthony Santander out for most of the 2025 season and playoffs. It was a disappointing start to his Blue Jays tenure.

      From 2022-24, the man known lovingly as Tony Taters hit 105 home runs for the Orioles, posting a 123 wRC+ and 8.1 FanGraphs WAR. In his first year with Toronto, the switch-hitter swatted just six homers in 54 games, with a 61 wRC+ and -0.9 fWAR. However, the Jays are hoping a healthy Santander can look more like the Silver Slugger they signed to a five-year, $92.5 million contract last winter.

      Manager John Schneider addressed reporters on Tuesday at the Winter Meetings. DiamondCentric's John Bonnes was on hand for the event.

      "Tony is going to be huge for us," said Schneider. "He's a big part of what we're doing."

      The skipper continued, "I've told him this: 'I don't want you to think you have to do anything you don't do well. You don't have to come back and hit .300 with 50 homers to make up for last year.' We need Tony to fit in the way we know he can when we signed him."

      As for the shoulder subluxation that forced Santander to the injured list in May and the back tightness that forced him off the ALCS roster in October, Scheider doesn't seem to be concerned.

      "Shoulder is good. Back is good. He's just feeling normal,"  the manager explained. He went on to express hope that Santander will have a regular spring training. Schneider acknowledged that the veteran is a "notorious slow starter," but seemed optimistic that he can "hit the ground running" in 2026.

      Featured image courtesy of Dan Hamilton, Imagn Images.

      Leo Morgenstern

      Earlier this afternoon, Toronto Blue Jays manager John Schneider told reporters at the Winter Meetings (including our own John Bonnes) that his coaching staff for 2026 has been finalized.

      "We have filled [the] assistant hitting coaching job," he said. "We have kind of backfilled [former bench coach Don Mattingly's] spot in a variety of ways. I'm giving those guys time to finalize with the teams they were with, and you'll have that full list really soon. One is internal, and two from outside."

      Sportnet's Shi Davidi reports that former White Sox catching coach Drew Butera is one of the two external additions. The other is former Rangers minor league hitting director Cody Atkinson, according to Mitch Bannon of The Athletic. Bannon also notes that Eric Duncan was promoted to the major league coaching staff from within the organization. He was previously Toronto's director of position player development.

      Presumably, Atkinson is the new assistant hitting coach, but it is not yet official what roles any of the Blue Jays' new coaches will be taking on.

      Jesse Burrill

      One of the smaller questions surrounding the Blue Jays has been answered this week. On Tuesday, Ross Atkins addressed the media at the Winter Meetings, and among the many topics he covered was the future role of right-hander Louis Varland. He will remain in the bullpen and will not be stretched out as a starter in 2026 (per Sportsnet). 

      Varland was acquired at the trade deadline and appeared in 23 regular season games with the Blue Jays, posting a 4.94 ERA with 28 strikeouts. He followed that with an MLB-record 15 postseason appearances, delivering a 3.94 ERA and 17 strikeouts.

      There had been some early offseason chatter that Varland may be stretched out as a starter, as he made 23 starts over four seasons in Minnesota, but after the Blue Jays signed Dylan Cease and Cody Ponce earlier this offseason, they are opting to keep Varland in a relief role.

      The Blue Jays' bullpen remains in flux; Nick Sandlin and Yariel Rodríguez have already been removed from the roster, and more moves are expected. For now, it's a safe bet to pencil Varland into one of the club's eight bullpen spots for 2026.

      Featured image courtesy of Brad Penner, Imagn Images.

      Bob Ritchie

      On December 2, the Toronto Blue Jays announced that their seven-year, $210 million contract with Dylan Cease had been finalized. Today on X, the New York Post's Jon Heyman reported the financial structure of the deal.

      When the Cease deal was first reported, pending the results of a physical, it was widely believed that the contract included deferrals. According to Heyman and others, the total amount deferred will be $64 million. The salary to be paid from 2026-2032 is $123 million, plus a $23 million signing bonus. Also, the contract contains a limited no-trade clause. The timing of the deferred payments Toronto will make to Cease was not reported. 

      The Athletic's Ken Rosenthal reported that the AAV of the deal was close to $27 million ($189 million divided by seven). That would make the present value of the deferrals for Competitive Balance Tax (“CBT”) purposes approximately $43 million ($189 million less $146 million in salary and bonus).

      It should be noted that under the CBA, teams must fund a deferral by the second July 1 following the season in which the deferral was earned. In other words, Toronto would have to fund the $10 million deferral for 2026 by July 1, 2028. The amount funded is the present value of the deferred amount using a 5% discount rate. A rough estimate is that Toronto's first funding payment will be approximately $7.5 million.

      From the team’s perspective, the primary advantage of deferrals is the reduction of the AAV used for CBT purposes. Given that Toronto pays the CBT, every little bit helps! 

      Featured image courtesy of Denis Poroy, Imagn Images.

      Leo Morgenstern

      This afternoon, the Toronto Blue Jays announced they had placed left-handed pitcher Easton Lucas, 29, on unconditional release waivers. This will free up another space on the 40-man roster, giving the front office three open spots to work with. 

      Lucas made his MLB debut with the Athletics in 2023 and bounced from the A's to the Tigers to the Blue Jays in 2024. He made a pair of excellent starts for Toronto this past April, striking out 11 in 10.1 scoreless innings. Unfortunately, he struggled after those two outings and could not stick with the major league club.

      As is often the case when a team releases a player seemingly out of nowhere, it is believed that the Blue Jays granted Lucas his release so he could sign a contract with a foreign professional team (per Sportsnet's Ben Nicholson-Smith). According to reporter Francys Romero, that team will be in Japan's NPB.

      Featured image courtesy of Mitch Stringer, Imagn Images.

      Bryan Jaeger

      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.

      Bryan Jaeger

      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.

      Leo Morgenstern

      In a move that's more procedural than anything else, Bo Bichette officially rejected his $22.025 million qualifying offer this afternoon. He is expected to sign a long-term, nine-figure contract in free agency – far more than the value of the QO. So, his decision today comes as no surprise.

      Now that Bichette has rejected the offer, the team that eventually signs him – unless it's the Blue Jays – will have to forfeit a draft pick (and possibly also international bonus pool space). 

      Speaking to our own John Bonnes at the GM Meetings, Ross Atkins made it clear that the Jays are interested in re-signing Bichette. However, they will have competition. Most recently, the Red Sox have emerged as a potential suitor for his services (per Rob Bradford of WEEI.com).

      Featured image courtesy of Nick Turchiaro, Imagn Images.

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