2026 Toronto Blue Jays Season Thread

[Caged Great]

Hopefully with how passionate the fans were, that might convince some guys to sign here.

[edslunch]

If Beiber declines his option is he still eligible to sign with the Jays?

[Caged Great]

Originally Posted by edslunch

If Beiber declines his option is he still eligible to sign with the Jays?

yes. Just less likely.

[Super-Rye]

What a crazy fun season. I'm sad they couldn't finish it but also so proud of them. They showed what a good team they could be. Vladdy's so big for this franchise.

This is such an important offseason for the Jays. I am hopeful with how close they came and how strong they looked that they can attract some players. This is such a deep roster but it isn't without its needs.

I'd like to see them re-sign Bieber and Bo. Even if those 2 come back I'd like to see them add another big arm and another consistent bat to the lineup.

I would like to see CBass back as well. I wonder if they couldn't convince him that converting to a reliever will extend his career and offer him some term. I loved him coming out of the pen this offseason. He's such a smart pitcher and his compete level is crazy. Just seems like such a good fit too because they are going to need a more consistent bullpen next season.

[Roof-Daddy]

A dream off season would be trade for Skubal, sign Bieber, sign Bo and move him to 2B

1. Springer DH (R)
2. Barger RF (L)
3. Vladdy 1B (R)
4. Bo 2B (R)
5. Varsho CF (L)
6. Kirk C (R)
7. Santander LF (S)
8. Clement 3B (R)
9. Giminez SS (L)

Bench - Heineman C (S), Lukes OF (L), Straw OF (R), Schneider UT (R)

SP1 - Skubal
SP2 - Bieber
SP3 - Gausman
SP4 - Yesavage
SP5 - Berrios

CL - Hoffman
SU - Garcia
SU - Varland

Rest of the BP arms to build with - Fluharty, Little, Lauer, Rodriguez, Fisher, Nance, Sandlin, Bruihl, Burr, etc

Deep batting line up, solid bench, the D is stellar except for Santander in LF but the bench has solid defensive replacements.

Rotation could be godly.

Bullpen solid enough for now.

Probably $320 million for that though.

[Slanter]

I hope if Bo leaves, it's not because he could get more money somewhere else. I'd be really disappointed if Rogers wasn't willing to pay him what he's worth

[Roof-Daddy]

About a week ago Bo said his goal is to play his whole career with the Jays but he wasn't worrying about it at the time for obvious reasons. Might be just pandering but I won't be shocked if he gets extended. He will see what's out there first, but unless the Jays low ball him he probably stays.

The only other point of contention might be about whether he plays 2B or SS. Let's hope it gets done.

[chummer]

Originally Posted by Roof-Daddy

About a week ago Bo said his goal is to play his whole career with the Jays but he wasn't worrying about it at the time for obvious reasons. Might be just pandering but I won't be shocked if he gets extended. He will see what's out there first, but unless the Jays low ball him he probably stays.

The only other point of contention might be about whether he plays 2B or SS. Let's hope it gets done.

Unfinished business.

[Jiggy_12]

I think Bo will re-sign, if I had to make a guess now.

He seems like a guy that values stability and comfort more than chasing limelight. He’ll get paid regardless so I don’t think money will be a factor.

[browna]

Shapiro/Rogers dragged their feet significantly with Vladdy, basically ignoring his deadlines.

I think Bo knows what he is going to do. I think he will give Rogers a chance but will not play their games and likely has another couple places lined up.

[dino7c]

Originally Posted by bettercallbettman

Bo is gone. His interview was quite telling.

When he said he wanted to come back? Because he said that last night

no gurantees obviously but it wasn't very telling the other way

[Inferno]

Robbie Ray's interview before the offseason he left was quite telling. Bichette's wasn't.

Unless I'm seeing the wrong quotes it sounds like a guy who is open to coming back but aknowledges that even if he does there's going to be some change and it won't be the same group they had this season.

[sch19lks]

Originally Posted by dino7c

When he said he wanted to come back? Because he said that last night

no gurantees obviously but it wasn't very telling the other way

I’m pretty sure the guy you’re quoting hates the Blue Jays

[Mathgod]

Originally Posted by dino7c

When he said he wanted to come back? Because he said that last night

no gurantees obviously but it wasn't very telling the other way

I still have ptsd from all the times Johnny & Chucky said they'd love to stay...

[Underdog]

Skenes is probably available...but for a heavy price. I'd guess that price starts with Yesavage and ends with Ernie or Barger. Those are the types of controllable players the Pirates covet. Would you do it?

[EN FUEGO]

As much as I love Bo, I'm not sure we wouldn't be better off with somebody more solid on D. He had some pretty tough moments throughout the year on a team that otherwise played pretty clean. Am I trying to prepare myself as best I can to see him and Vladdy split up? Probably.

[GirlySports]

I wish baseball was like hockey in free agency, all players signed in 2 days.

Free agency has started after the World Series, but you wouldn't know it.

[EN FUEGO]

Available SS and 2B by Age/WAR...stings a bit to see the guy ranked just above Bo there:

SECOND BASEMEN
Gleyber Torres (29 years old, 4.4 WAR)
Brandon Lowe (31, 4.0) -- club option
Willi Castro (29, 3.5)
Jorge Polanco (32, 3.0) -- player option
Ozzie Albies (29, 2.6) -- club option
Jose Iglesias (36, 2.3)
Dylan Moore (33, 2.3)
Luis Rengifo (29, 1.5)
Amed Rosario (30, 0.7)
Nicky Lopez (31, 0.6)
Brendan Rodgers (29, 0.4)
Adam Frazier (34, 0.2)
Coco Montes (29, 0.0)
Cavan Biggio (31, -0.1)
Kyle Farmer (34, -0.5) -- mutual option
Tyler Wade (31, -0.6) -- club option

SHORTSTOPS
Miguel Rojas (37 years old, 4.5 WAR)
Bo Bichette (28, 4.1)
Trevor Story (33, 3.7) -- can opt out (Red Sox can void via club option)
Ha-Seong Kim (30, 2.9) -- player option
Isiah Kiner-Falefa (31, 2.8)
Jorge Mateo (31, 0.2) -- club option
Orlando Arcia (31, 0.0)
Tim Anderson (33, -1.3)

[bizaro86]

Originally Posted by Underdog

Skenes is probably available...but for a heavy price. I'd guess that price starts with Yesavage and ends with Ernie or Barger. Those are the types of controllable players the Pirates covet. Would you do it?

I can't see giving up that much for Skenes. Yesavage seems like he's potentially as good as Skenes and has an extra year of control. I wouldn't add a high-WAR position player with lots of team control.

I think Skubal is probably a better trade candidate for the Jays, he'll cost less trade capital because of the lack of team control but more money on an extension.

[cross16]

I'll be a bit surprised if Bo returns and it won't be the end of the world so long as the Jays get another bat. I think they need a bit more power in the middle of their lineup. They crushed the ball in the post season but that did take a historic run from Vladdy. Some power to protect him would be a great thing.

SP is more of a priority though. As much as I like Yesavage, might be tough to rely on him as what he did this year was insane. I'd like Bassit to return so long as he is not guaranteed a SP spot.

I personally would target a closer. or at the least a back end/high leverage guy. I know they won't but I still woudln't trust this bullpen nor Hoffman as the closer moving forward so I would be prioritizing that need myself. I think they have some depth, but 8th/9th inning heart of the order with a one run lead, i'm not seeing an arm I trust 100% in that spot.

I just hope they are aggressive. I think the have a good core here but at the same time i'm not sure i'd be counting on the likes of Lukes and Clement to be key parts of another WS run. Clement can be a plus player because of his glove but i'm not sure the bat is enough and i'm not sure Lukes should be counted on. I think there are going to need some additions, hopefully a healthy Santander is one of them, to keep their offence at the level it needs to be. What the team did was great and i'm not trying to take away from that but I do think a lot went right for them this season to get them on that run. I personally woudln't be assuming this is a W/S contender without some help.