The Toronto Blue Jays have been one of the more active teams this offseason. But the team is likely done with moves.
Toronto signed Dylan Cease and Cody Ponce to bolster its rotation and signed reliever Tyler Rogers. The lone addition to the offense was Japanese slugger Kazuma Okamoto. Yet, Toronto did miss out on landing Bo Bichette and Kyle Tucker, as the Blue Jays were interested in landing one of them.
After falling short of adding another impact bat, the Blue Jays could make a trade for a bat or sign another hitter in free agency. However, Blue Jays insider Mitch Bannon of The Athletic believes Toronto’s offseason is likely done.
“In short, another major move appears unlikely for the Jays. However, they’ve surprised before. Toronto’s pitching staff appears essentially set,” Bannon wrote. “The Jays also project to have at least a two-win player (a solid starter or better) at every offensive position except left field. Even in left, they can dream of a Santander rebound.
“Barring a lineup-shifting trade, any incoming player would seemingly be a significant upgrade over Santander and Nathan Lukes. There just isn’t room (or need) for a mid-tier addition, and there aren’t many elite options left.”
Although the Blue Jays could explore the trade market, Bannon expects this group to enter spring training vying to return to the World Series.
Blue Jays Likely to See What They Have
Toronto will enter spring training with some competition for the final roster spots, which is why the Blue Jays are unlikely to make another move.
The Blue Jays have been linked to Steven Kwan and some players on the St. Louis Cardinals. But Bannon doesn’t think a move will happen.
“Lefty hitters Brendan Donovan, Alec Burleson and Lars Nootbaar could each help fill holes for the Jays beyond 2026. But none is a massive upgrade over the internal options this year,” Bannon wrote. “Is it worth paying a significant prospect price for a one-win upgrade? That’s the kind of move that makes more sense at the trade deadline, after the Jays see what they have in Santander.
“There are other options the Jays could pursue. They could still move a surplus player like Berríos, address middle-infield depth or pull off a move nobody saw coming. However, with a full roster and spring training quickly approaching, Toronto’s team appears more and more set each day.”
If the Blue Jays’ offseason is indeed done, Toronto is still expected to be one of the top teams this season.
Ross Atkins Hinted at No More Moves
The Blue Jays not making another move isn’t a surprise.
After introducing Okamoto, Blue Jays general manager Ross Atkins said he liked the setup of the team. And any future move would take playing time away from other players.
“We feel good about our team,” Atkins said. “One thing that I would add is that additions at this point would start to cut away from playing time for players who we feel are very good Major League pieces. So we have to factor that in. But we’ve always had incredible support from ownership.”
The Blue Jays have the fourth-best odds to win the World Series at +1400.
Blue Jays Get Clear Update on Future Moves After Missing Out on Bichette & Tucker