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  • Toronto Blue Jays Trade & Free Agent Rumors

    Follow the latest Toronto Blue Jays trade and free agent rumors, along with quick notes on the big league club, the minor leagues and the draft.
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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
    According to reporter Francys Romero, the Toronto Blue Jays were among the teams "most closely monitoring" free agent Yoán Moncada's market before he ultimately re-signed with the Los Angeles Angels. Romero notes that the Pirates and Red Sox had also shown interest in the third baseman. 
    About a month ago, Romero reported that Toronto had expressed "early interest" in Moncada. However, that was before they signed Kazuma Okamoto to a four-year, $60 million deal. Like Moncada, Okamoto's primary position is third base. 
    Moncada, 30, played in 84 games for the Angels in 2025. He hit .234 with 12 home runs and an 11.1% walk rate, finishing with a 117 wRC+. Thumb and knee injuries cut into his playing time; IL stints have been a recurring theme throughout the switch-hitter's career.
    It wasn't entirely clear how Moncada would have made sense for the Blue Jays even before they signed Okamoto. So, the suggestion that they were still keeping an eye on him is more than a little surprising. Nevertheless, Romero's report is at least an indication that the Blue Jays might not be finished adding to their offense this winter. 
    Featured image courtesy of Kirby Lee, 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.
    Javen Coleman, LHP Chad Dallas, RHP Ryan Jennings, RHP Fernando Perez, RHP (JC No. 19) Gage Stanifer, RHP (JC No. 6) Yariel Rodríguez, RHP CJ Van Eyk, RHP Chay Yeager, RHP Robert Brooks, C Edward Duran, C Aaron Parker, C Geovanny Planchart, C Cutter Coffey, INF Josh Kasevich, INF (JC No. 11) Sean Keys, INF Charles McAdoo, 3B (JC No. 14) Arjun Nimmala, SS (JC No. 3) Josh Rivera, INF Riley Tirotta, UTIL RJ Schreck, OF (JC No. 9) 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.
    Matthew Lenz
    With Alex Bregman, Kyle Tucker, and Bo Bichette off the market. It's becoming harder to see a way for the Toronto Blue Jays to fully upgrade their offense. At this point, Cody Bellinger would be the only free agent who could give that boost; however, there have been no reports indicating that either side is interested. 
    On the other hand, there are still options out there for them to bolster their pitching staff. Ben Nicholson-Smith of Sportsnet is reporting that the Toronto Blue Jays and starting pitcher Framber Valdez "met in person at the GM meetings in November." He adds that both sides shared a "mutual interest. Of course, things have changed since this meeting, as it occurred before the Blue Jays signed Dylan Cease.
    Valdez, 32, was projected to get a five-year, $150 million deal by our team at DiamondCentric. At this point, a contract that big would come with a significant luxury tax hit; however, the Blue Jays showed a willingness to pay it, with reports of a $35 million AAV offer for Kyle Tucker. It's not clear whether they'd be willing to do the same for Valdez (or even Bellinger).
    In parts of eight seasons with the Houston Astros, Valdez has shown himself to be one of the most reliable pitchers in baseball, having made 28 or more starts in each of the past four seasons. He has a career 3.36 ERA (3.51 FIP) and a 14.8% strikeout minus walk rate, and is an extreme ground-ball pitcher. His 2025 season was generally in line with his career norms.
    Do you think the Toronto Blue Jays should stand pat or re-engage with Valdez? Let us know in the comments!
    Leo Morgenstern
    On Wednesday, ESPN's Jeff Passan told Sportsnet Central that the Blue Jays "have really been the only team that has shown the willingness to go as deep as 10 years, potentially," on a contract for top free agent Kyle Tucker.
    ESPN had previously reported that the Jays made "a long-term offer" to Tucker, and Passan's latest comments offer a bit more insight into what "long-term" could mean.
    The Mets, likely Tucker's other top suitor, seem to prefer a shorter-term deal. Most recently, the New York Post's Mike Puma reported that the Mets had "a four-year offer on the table" for Tucker.
    While Tucker's free agency has been a slow-moving process to this point, Passan mentioned that the All-Star outfielder could be ready to sign by the end of this week. Then, this morning, the New York Post's Jon Heyman reported that Tucker could sign "as soon as today." 
    Featured image courtesy of David Banks, 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:
    Featured image courtesy of Reinhold Matay, Imagn Images.
    Leo Morgenstern
    According to a report from ESPN, the Toronto Blue Jays have made "a long-term offer" to Kyle Tucker, the offseason's top free agent. It's no secret that the Blue Jays are interested in Tucker, but this is the first indication that they have made him a formal offer.
    While no deal is imminent, and no further details have been made available, it's an exciting development nonetheless. That the Jays made an offer demonstrates the front office is still actively seeking upgrades, and ownership is willing to continue increasing payroll.
    Of course, Toronto isn't alone in pursuing Tucker. ESPN's Jesse Rogers and FanSided's Robert Murray both reported that the New York Mets offered Tucker a short-term deal "believed to be worth $50 million per season." The Mets and Blue Jays currently seem to be the frontrunners for Tucker's services.
    Featured image courtesy of Troy Taormina, 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
    According to The Athletic’s Mitch Bannon, the Blue Jays have “increased their efforts to recruit [Kyle] Tucker.” He adds that “Toronto’s interest in the 28-year-old is clear,” noting that the Jays have become “more aggressive” in their pursuit.
    To that point, Ben Nicholson-Smith of Sportsnet reports that the team has had “recent dialogue” with Tucker regarding the “parameters” of a contract.
    While recent reports seem to suggest that the Blue Jays would prefer Tucker to Bo Bichette, Nicholson-Smith writes that dialogue also “remains open” between the Jays and their long-time shortstop.
    Asked about the possibility of re-signing Bichette today during Kazuma Okamoto's introductory press conference, general manager Ross Atkins had this to say: "If there’s an opportunity to think about improving the organization, we’re going to always lean into creative ways to do so" (per Nicholson-Smith).
    Featured image courtesy of Kyle Ross, 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.
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