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  • Toronto Blue Jays Free Agent & Trade Rumors, Notes, & Tidbits

    The latest Toronto Blue Jays free agent and trade rumors, along with notes and tidbits about the team.
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    Leo Morgenstern
    The Baseball Writers Association of America announced the finalists for its big four end-of-season awards today: MVP, Cy Young, Rookie of the Year, and Manager of the Year. While no Blue Jays players will be taking home any of the BBWAA hardware, skipper John Schneider is in the running for the AL's highest managerial honour. 
    His fellow finalists are Stephen Vogt of the Guardians and Dan Wilson of the Mariners.
    As a reminder, the finalists for the BBWAA awards are not nominees. The winners are decided upon immediately following the regular season, and the three finalists in each category are simply the three highest vote-getters. 
    The 2025 Managers of the Year will be announced on November 11 on MLB Network.
    Featured image courtesy of John E. Sokolowski, Imagn Images.
    Matthew Lenz
    Less than 24 hours after a devastating Game 7 World Series loss, the Toronto Blue Jays have been informed that two players will be testing free agency rather than sticking with the organization.
    Pitcher Ryan Borucki (outrighted on September 18th) and infielder Michael Stefanic (outrighted June 7th) elected free agency today.
    Burocki appeared in 39 games in 2025, pitching 35.0 innings between the Pittsburgh Pirates and Blue Jays. Signed to a minor league pact after being released by the Pirates, only four of those innings came with Toronto, where he allowed zero earned runs and posted a 5:4 K:BB ratio.
    Stefanic played nine games for the Blue Jays, mostly at second base, in 2025. Over 25 plate appearances, he recorded four hits (all singles) with one run scored. He appeared at second base in nine games and briefly at shortstop.
    Both players are likely looking for minor league contracts to get another shot at a big league roster in 2026. Do you think the Blue Jays should re-sign either player as depth? Let us know in the comments!
     
    Matthew Lenz
    After a heartbreaking defeat in Game 7 of the World Series, reporters were quick to look ahead to next season in their postgame interviews.
    In front of a pool of reporters, an emotional Chris Bassitt expressed his hope to return to the Toronto Blue Jays next season. In part, the 37-year-old said, "You can try to replicate this. A lot of people will try, but it’s not really possible."
    With Max Scherzer also set to become a free agent and only three others locked into the rotation, there is plenty of room if Bassitt and the Blue Jays can agree to a deal. The righty would be a solid mid to back-end rotation piece behind Kevin Gausman, Trey Yesavage, and Jose Berrios.
    Last season, he started 31 games, sporting a 4.01 FIP and 15.5% K-BB rate across 170 1/3 innings - his fourth consecutive season reaching that plateau. Additionally, he was extremely effective out of the bullpen in October (and November), throwing 8 1/3 innings of relief, giving up one earned run, and striking out 10.
    Do you think the Blue Jays should pursue Bassitt or shoot higher on the trade or free agent market? Let us know your thoughts in the comments!
    Matthew Lenz
    After a heartbreaking defeat in Game 7 of the World Series, reporters were quick to look ahead to next season in their postgame interviews.
    After starting Game 7, Jesse Rogers of ESPN asked Toronto Blue Jays starting pitcher Max Scherzer about his future in Major League Baseball. The surefire Hall of Famer didn't fully commit to playing in 2026 but instead said "...it’s going to take some time to give a full answer to that, but there is no way that was my last pitch.”
    The 41-year-old Scherzer started Games 3 and 7 in the World Series against the Los Angeles Dodgers, giving up four earned runs over 8 2/3 innings. In his only other postseason start in game four of the American League Championship Series, the three-time Cy Young Award winner earned the victory, allowing two earned runs and striking out five in 5 2/3 innings. Overall, 2025 was a tough season that was impacted by a thumb injury. The righty made 17 starts, sporting a 4.99 FIP and 16.5% K-BB rate. Scherzer is a free agent in a relatively weak 2025-2026 starting pitching free agency class.
    Do you think the Blue Jays should re-sign the two-time World Series champion?
    Leo Morgenstern
    The Blue Jays put up one heck of a fight, but in the end, it wasn't enough.
    With Toronto up 4-3 in the top of the ninth, Jeff Hoffman allowed a game-tying home run to Dodgers nine-hole hitter Miguel Rojas. It was hard to watch. Two innings later, Shane Bieber gave up a home run to Will Smith. It was even harder to watch. 
    Then, in the bottom of the 11th, in front of 40,000 anxious fans at the Rogers Centre, Alejandro Kirk grounded into a double play. Toronto's magical run was over. The Dodgers had won their second straight World Series title, and all the Blue Jays could do was stare in disbelief. 
    This was still a special season for the Blue Jays. A heartbreaking World Series loss doesn't change that. But fans can celebrate all that this team accomplished in due time. For now, no one will blame you for wallowing in defeat. 
    Featured image courtesy of Nick Turchiaro, Imagn Images.
    Leo Morgenstern
    The Blue Jays have announced their lineup for Game 7 of the World Series against the Dodgers. Fans will be pleased to see George Springer and Alejandro Kirk included. Springer looked to be playing through pain in Game 6, while Kirk exited in the bottom of the ninth after being hit by a pitch on the hand.
    It's a slightly different batting order than the Jays have used in any other game this season, with Addison Barger moving up to the five-hole and Daulton Varsho dropping down to seventh:
    Barger's move up the order is well deserved. He has been red-hot in the World Series, with 10 hits in 21 at-bats, including two doubles and a home run. The lefty slugger leads Toronto's offense in hits, wRC+, and Win Probability Added over the last week.
    Manager John Schneider is surely looking for any and all advantages he can give his team against Dodgers starter Shohei Ohtani. Max Scherzer will toe the bump for the Blue Jays in what's sure to go down as one of the most iconic starting pitching matchups in World Series history.
    Featured image courtesy of John E. Sokolowski, Imagn Images. 
    Leo Morgenstern
    The Blue Jays have announced their starting lineup for tonight's World Series Game 6, and George Springer is back in the leadoff spot:
    Springer exited early in Game 3 after injuring his right side on a swing. He has not played since. While the Blue Jays won Games 4 and 5 without him, they're surely elated to have his bat back at the top of the order. Springer was the team's best hitter during the regular season, and his three-run home run in Game 7 of the ALCS is the reason they're playing in the World Series right now. The Blue Jays have a chance to win it all tonight, and it wouldn't feel right if Springer wasn't a part of the winning effort. 
    Featured image courtesy of Jayne Kamin-Oncea, Imagn Images. 
    Brock Beauchamp
    It's hard to predict how this offseason will unfold, as there is an increasing chance of (yet another) MLB lockout following the 2026 season. Will teams spend big this offseason, hoping to create surety in the face of an unknown collective bargaining agreement? Or will they be hesitant in hopes of a favorable outcome for ownership groups?
    No matter how it shakes out, teams will need to compete in the 2026 season, and they'll need to sign free agents this winter. DiamondCentric has compiled a complete list of free agents, sortable and searchable by pretty much any metric you need. Looking for a first baseman? A catcher? We have you covered. We offer two pages for your reference: one for position players, the other for pitchers.
    Free Agent Hitters In the 2025-2026 MLB Offseason
    Complete List Of 2025-2026 MLB Free Agent Hitters
    DiamondCentric.net Here is a complete list of free agent hitters in the 2025-2026 MLB offseason. Free Agent Pitchers In the 2025-2026 MLB Offseason
    Complete List Of 2025-2026 MLB Free Agent Pitchers
    DiamondCentric.net Here is a complete list of free agent pitchers in the 2025-2026 MLB offseason.
    Leo Morgenstern
    The Toronto Blue Jays have officially released their 26-man roster for the World Series.
    All-Star shortstop Bo Bichette, out since mid-September with a knee sprain, is finally back. Ty France, who hit the IL with left oblique inflammation later in September, has also been added to the roster after missing the ALDS and ALCS.
    Bichette and France are replacing outfielder Joey Loperfido and right-hander Yariel Rodríguez. It's little surprise to see Loperfido cut; he was only added to the ALCS roster mid-series to replace Anthony Santander. The decision to effectively swap out Rodríguez with France is a little more interesting, since it means the Blue Jays will only have 12 pitchers at their disposal for the series. Of course, Rodríguez struggled badly in limited work in the ALCS, so it seems the Jays decided they'd rather have another right-handed bat than an extra, less-than-trustworthy arm.
    Featured image courtesy of John E. Sokolowski, Imagn Images.
    Leo Morgenstern
    The story of Trey Yesavage's first MLB season just keeps getting better. Drafted in 2024. Pro debut in 2025. Four promotions. An AL East title. A dominant postseason debut. An AL pennant. 
    What's next? World Series Game 1 starter.
    When the 2025 World Series kicks off at the Rogers Centre tomorrow night, Yesavage will throw the first pitch of the game, presumably to Shohei Ohtani. He'll go toe-to-toe with two-time Cy Young winner Blake Snell. He's already pitched the "biggest game of his career" several times this year, but that description applies once again. 
    Kevin Gausman, who started Game 1 of the ALDS and ALCS, is taking a breather after pitching in relief in Game 7 on Monday. Game 2 is scheduled for October 25, five days after ALCS Game 7, so, in theory, both Gausman and Shane Bieber should be available, though John Schneider has not yet revealed who will take the ball against Dodgers All-Star Yoshinobu Yamamoto.
    Featured image courtesy of Nick Turchiaro, Imagn Images.
    Leo Morgenstern
    Three Blue Jays hitters were named finalists for Silver Slugger Awards today, and let's be honest, you probably don't need this article to tell you who they are. But I'm going to tell you anyway:
    Vladimir Guerrero Jr. is a finalist at first base, alongside Nick Kurtz of the Athletics and Vinnie Pasquantino of the Royals. Bo Bichette is a finalist at shortstop, alongside Jeremy Peña of the Astros and Bobby Witt Jr. of the Royals. Finally, George Springer is a finalist at DH, alongside Yandy Díaz of the Rays and Brent Rooker of the Athletics. Springer is also a finalist for one of three Silver Sluggers in the outfield, alongside Cody Bellinger of the Yankees, Byron Buxton of the Twins, Riley Greene of the Tigers, Aaron Judge of the Yankees, and Julio Rodríguez of the Mariners. All three of Toronto's finalists had strong years at the plate, but only Springer is a good bet to take home the prize (indeed, he's likely to take home two). Kurtz is the heavy favourite at first base after his remarkable rookie season. The competition is closer at shortstop, but Witt has the edge in most counting stat categories.
    Springer, however, should easily win the Silver Slugger after leading AL DHs in home runs (32), batting average (.309), wRC+ (166), and xwOBA (.417), as well as stolen bases (18). He also has a strong case in the outfield; among primary AL outfielders, only Judge finished with a higher OPS or wRC+. Do I think it's a silly system in which Springer could win at both positions? Yes, without a doubt. But I'm not going to complain about Blue Jays winning major awards. 
    The Blue Jays, collectively, were also named finalists for the team Silver Slugger Award, alongside the Mariners and Yankees.
    AL Silver Sluggers winners will be revealed on November 7 at 6:00 pm. 
    Featured image courtesy of Jay Biggerstaff, Imagn Images.
    Mike LeSage
    When the Blue Jays announced their lineup for Game 4, there were a few shuffles from the night before. Isiah Kiner-Falefa was slotted in at second base, which shifts Ernie Clement to third, and puts Addison Barger in right field. Out of the lineup was Anthony Santander.
    Manager John Schneider confirmed that Santander "woke up feeling sore" but was non-commital regarding his availability off the bench as a potential late-inning pinch hitter. 
    Ken Rosenthal and Mitch Bannon of The Athletic reported that, according to "sources," the Blue Jays had made a medical request to have Santander removed from the ALCS roster. If approved, that would make Santander ineligible for the World Series roster, should Toronto make it that far.
    Within an hour, the Jays had their answer. Santander's removal was approved, ending his season. Joey Loperfido has been called up to take his place and is active for tonight's game.
    Leo Morgenstern
    Rawlings revealed the finalists for the 2025 Gold Glove Awards this morning, naming three defenders at each position in each league. Five Toronto Blue Jays players were announced as finalists in five different categories. Yet, somehow, someway, the Jays have a total of six finalists, tied with the Chicago Cubs for the most of any team. Let me explain.
    Alejandro Kirk is a finalist at catcher, and Andrés Giménez is a finalist at second base. Simple enough. But then things get more complicated. Vladimir Guerrero Jr. and Ty France are both finalists at first base. Meanwhile, Ernie Clement is a finalist as a third baseman and as a utility player.
    The Blue Jays are the only team with two finalists at one position and the only team to have a player who is a finalist at multiple positions.
    To make things even more confusing, Giménez shouldn't even be eligible, according to the criteria laid out on the Rawlings website. He didn't play enough innings before the cutoff date. Does this mean he is, in fact, eligible after all? Maybe. But this wouldn't be the first time a player was named a finalist for an award he couldn't win. For example, Bryce Harper was named a Silver Slugger finalist in 2022, despite not having played the minimum number of games to qualify.
    So, the Blue Jays have two finalists at first base, a possibly ineligible finalist at second base, and a finalist at third base who is also their finalist for the utility Gold Glove. What is this, an Abbott and Costello routine?
    Featured image courtesy of Mark Smith, Imagn Images.
    Leo Morgenstern
    According to a report from The Athletic's Brittany Ghiroli, Toronto Blue Jays executive James Click was one of "at least three candidates" the Colorado Rockies interviewed to be their newest "head of baseball operations."
    Click was the Houston Astros' general manager from 2020-22. Houston made the playoffs in all three seasons of his front office tenure and won the World Series in his final year with the club. Following his surprising departure from the Astros, he accepted a job as the Blue Jays' vice president of baseball strategy, a role he has held for the past three seasons.
    There was a time not so long ago when Click was a popular choice among fans to succeed Ross Atkins as Toronto's GM. However, considering the team's success this season, it's hard to imagine Atkins is going anywhere any time soon.
    Featured image courtesy of Lucas Peltier, Imagn Images.
    Brock Beauchamp
    Mark Sheldon of MLB.com posed one question for Cincinnati’s offseason: Would trading Hunter Greene help bring back a bat? The 26-year-old Greene is signed through the 2028 season, with an option for 2029, all well below market value for a free agent of his calibre.
    In 2025, Greene made 19 starts and threw 107 2/3 innings with a 2.76 ERA, 3.27 FIP, 31.4 K%, 6.2 BB%, 1.25 HR/9, and a 0.94 WHIP. His average four-seam fastball velocity was 99.4 mph. 
    For comparison, Toronto’s primary starters produced the following 2025 lines. Kevin Gausman: 32 starts, 193 innings, 3.59 ERA, 3.70 FIP, 8.81 K/9, 2.33 BB/9, 0.98 WHIP. Chris Bassitt: 31 starts, 170 1/3 innings, 3.96 ERA, 4.18 FIP, 8.77 K/9, 2.75 BB/9, 1.16 WHIP. José Berríos: 30 starts, 166 innings, 4.17 ERA, 4.85 FIP, 19.8 K%, 8.0 BB%. 
    As a staff,  in 2025 Toronto's rotation ranked 20th in ERA (4.34), 14th in strikeouts (786), and 24th in FIP (4.46).
    Greene’s expected indicators included a 3.09 xERA and 3.27 xFIP in 2025. He has yet to exceed 150 1/3 innings or 26 starts in a season, with a 2025 groin strain among recent IL stints. 
    Leo Morgenstern
    Nathan Lukes initially stayed in Sunday night's ALCS Game 1 after fouling a ball off his right knee, but the Blue Jays later removed him from the contest and sent him for testing. After the game, manager John Schneider told reporters that Lukes went for X-rays and a CT scan, which both came back negative for a fracture.
    While this is certainly good news for the club, Lukes is still dealing with pain, so it's not yet clear if he'll be able to play in Monday's Game 2. However, Schneider suggested the outfielder will be in the lineup as long as he is medically cleared.
    The lefty-batting Lukes is 4-for-13 with two doubles and five RBI through five games this October.
    Featured image courtesy of Nick Turchiaro, Imagn Images.
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