2026 Toronto Blue Jays Season Thread

[bluejays]

Originally Posted by EN FUEGO

I could see him being a #3 if we get somebody nasty as a #1. I think Berrios has a bounce back year and Lauer quietly had the best ERA on the team while starting. Yesavage doesn't seem to need much sheltering, but I'd still shelter him a little bit.

I don't think Berrios will be back. Something seemed really off that he was never around during the playoff celebrations. He could bounce back but it just seemed he wasn't pleased with the team. I'd look to deal him quite honestly, just because I think they need an upgrade and he's an arm who could bring them something. Lauer scares me a bit, especially with Yesavage as the protected young guy. To have two I'm just not sure about. In any case I think to get an ace would really take this team to a new level.

[ben voyonsdonc]

Let’s go get Bichette now. Great news for the Blue Jays. Biebs with a full healthy off season will be bargain at $16m.

[Whynotnow]

Bieber staying is massive, saves money vs the equivalent player, I think he can still pitch at a high level and it sends one heck of a message to other players as well.

[Trojan97]

Originally Posted by bluejays

Perhaps you're right. The proof will be in the pudding in his performance next year. I still slot him as a #4/5 on a championship team contender.


Future acquired ace
Gausman
Yesavage
Bieber/young prospect

How many MLB teams do you think Shane Bieber is a 4th/5th starter on?

[flamingred89]

Wouldn't be surprised if there is more to this Bieber news. Like he picks up the option for next year to save the Jays on payroll and cap and they announce an extension soon afterwards for the following years when money starts to come off the books.

[Roof-Daddy]

With the last couple months shaking off rust, now an off-season and a spring training to work with, I think Bieber will have a huge year for us in 2026.

I'm greedy. I hope they go and land another potential top of the rotation arm.

Trading for Skubal would be epic. A legitimate ACE.

Signing Cease, Valdez, Suarez....are good options too.

I bet they bring Bassitt back, which is OK too. Not flashy, but he's solid.

[Cowboy89]

Does Cleveland have any more hidden gems they don't want to pay real money to?

[bizaro86]

Originally Posted by Cowboy89

Does Cleveland have any more hidden gems they don't want to pay real money to?

I don't think "Hidden Gem" would apply but Clase's contract steps up to $6.4 this year and then $10 the next two years (they're club options with buyouts...) Plus he's in line for a $2MM bonus (only needs like 30 appearances next year to get it). Do they want to pay a reliever $8.4 MM next year?

The other one they were rumoured to be trading is Steven Kwan. He's got a few years of arb left and is probably getting $8-10 MM in arb this year. Seems like a potential fit style-wise for the Jays, and maybe works as a back-door Bichette replacement (move Barger to 3rd, Clement to 2nd, Gimenez to SS and give Kwan RF).

I heard a rumour once that the Jays were allowed to trade with teams other than the Guardians though, so maybe nothing comes of it.

[bluejays]

Originally Posted by Trojan97

How many MLB teams do you think Shane Bieber is a 4th/5th starter on?

More on his play. Do you think he's an ace these days? Or even top of the rotation guy? I sure as heck don't think that based on his play. Again, could just be him ramping up, but his stuff wasn't Ace Bieber.

[Andrew]

Bieber is probably 3 or 4 ....

But we need arms period. He is young enough

[Andrew]

Originally Posted by bizaro86

I don't think "Hidden Gem" would apply but Clase's contract steps up to $6.4 this year and then $10 the next two years (they're club options with buyouts...) Plus he's in line for a $2MM bonus (only needs like 30 appearances next year to get it). Do they want to pay a reliever $8.4 MM next year?

The other one they were rumoured to be trading is Steven Kwan. He's got a few years of arb left and is probably getting $8-10 MM in arb this year. Seems like a potential fit style-wise for the Jays, and maybe works as a back-door Bichette replacement (move Barger to 3rd, Clement to 2nd, Gimenez to SS and give Kwan RF).

I heard a rumour once that the Jays were allowed to trade with teams other than the Guardians though, so maybe nothing comes of it.

Clase might not come back? Gambling?

[Trojan97]

Originally Posted by bizaro86

I don't think "Hidden Gem" would apply but Clase's contract steps up to $6.4 this year and then $10 the next two years (they're club options with buyouts...) Plus he's in line for a $2MM bonus (only needs like 30 appearances next year to get it). Do they want to pay a reliever $8.4 MM next year?

The other one they were rumoured to be trading is Steven Kwan. He's got a few years of arb left and is probably getting $8-10 MM in arb this year. Seems like a potential fit style-wise for the Jays, and maybe works as a back-door Bichette replacement (move Barger to 3rd, Clement to 2nd, Gimenez to SS and give Kwan RF).

I heard a rumour once that the Jays were allowed to trade with teams other than the Guardians though, so maybe nothing comes of it.

Clase is in the middle of a betting scandal and on the non disciplinary exempt list currently while under investigatikn. Not sure he’s a fit regardless of what that finds.

Kwan is a ballplayer’s ballplayer and fits the offensive philosophy of the group well. Would be a worthy leadoff candidate if Springer falls off a cliff next season or you can comfortably throw him in the two hole infront of Vlad. Lots of utility to a player like that. Would be a fan of his acquisition.

[bizaro86]

Originally Posted by Trojan97

Clase is in the middle of a betting scandal and on the non disciplinary exempt list currently while under investigatikn. Not sure he’s a fit regardless of what that finds.

Kwan is a ballplayer’s ballplayer and fits the offensive philosophy of the group well. Would be a worthy leadoff candidate if Springer falls off a cliff next season or you can comfortably throw him in the two hole infront of Vlad. Lots of utility to a player like that. Would be a fan of his acquisition.

Fair enough, you don't want to wreck the room if Clase is a bad egg. But he's a legit closer that could push Hoffman down to setup (assuming obviously that he's cleared).

I do agree Kwan feels like a better fit though. He's the style the Jays play and seem like a potential fit. They'll need another OF in 2027+ as well, as Santander will presumably move to DH after Springer's deal is over. So Kwan might also make sense as a deadline add if the Guardians are out of it.

[Blaster86]

Beiber being back is one of those arms I was talking about and definitely changes my outlook a little. Beiber could have gotten paid and feels like this is better than that. That's a great sign.

[Roof-Daddy]

After watching the Dodgers roll out Yamamoto/Snell/Glasnow/Ohtani and knowing the Yankees have Cole/Fried/Rodon/Schlittler I hope the Jays stack the rotation as well.

Trade for Skubal and sign Cease, then eat some money on Berrios and find him a new home, unless his injury is worse than we know about.

1. Skubal
2. Cease
3. Gausman
4. Bieber
5. Yesavage

Go hard or go home.

[howard_the_duck]

I’m equally if not more bullish on them getting elite pen arms.

Depth in starting pitching can get you through a season and into the playoffs. As we saw in the playoffs, if starters can get you 5 innings and minimize damage, you can definitely win if you’ve got a lockdown pen.

An inning eating SP (like Bassitt, but ideally better) would also fit the bill and then look at adding power arms in the pen. Plus, an arm or two in the system (Tieddeman) could very well emerge.

[Jason14h]

Originally Posted by flamingred89

Wouldn't be surprised if there is more to this Bieber news. Like he picks up the option for next year to save the Jays on payroll and cap and they announce an extension soon afterwards for the following years when money starts to come off the books.

I said it at the time of the trade in this thread - I think it's the opposite

I think when they acquired him there was already a deal in place that he would pick up the option.

I didn't see the Jays giving up the quality of prospect they did for what was a rental. It doesn't fit Atkins M.O.

I think they gave Bieber the option to come play for a contender but he would have to agree to pick up his option for them to make the trade.

[bizaro86]

Originally Posted by Jason14h

I said it at the time of the trade in this thread - I think it's the opposite

I think when they acquired him there was already a deal in place that he would pick up the option.

I didn't see the Jays giving up the quality of prospect they did for what was a rental. It doesn't fit Atkins M.O.

I think they gave Bieber the option to come play for a contender but he would have to agree to pick up his option for them to make the trade.

I remember you saying it (and disagreed at the time) but maybe that was agreed in advance. Seems surprising unless there's more to it somehow.

The other thing that could have been a factor is the Jays defense. He's going to want to rebuild his value for a big money/long term contract.

A contender with great defense is probably the best way to do that. You put up a better ERA with great defense, plus you can pitch more innings if there are less errors extending outings.

I think there's a chance he feels like he can get $16 now and 6 x $28 next year and maybe that's better than 3 x $22 he thinks he can get now.

[Jason14h]

For sure playing with the Jays D behind him is huge

Also the uncertainty of the CBA going forward - a $170 million floor would force a ton of teams to spend spend spend so a 1 year deal may also make sense there

[3thirty]

I also think Bieber is better next year. Full offseason will help. He even said he wasn't 100% throughout the Jays run, but said he felt better as it went on.