Blue Jays still have offseason work to do

TORONTO -- The Blue Jays’ offseason lives back down in reality now that Kyle Tucker has joined the Dodgers and Bo Bichette is a Met.

Cody Bellinger still represents the long-term outfield upgrade the Blue Jays could use, but beyond Bellinger, the free-agent market gets cloudy if you look at it specifically from Toronto’s perspective. There are no black holes to fill on this roster, so any mid-range additions would still need to represent a significant upgrade over the club’s existing players. That’s a narrow window to find value in.

The offseason is far from finished, though. The intense focus on Tucker and Bichette has distracted us all from the fact that the rest of the market has moved fairly slowly, too. With the Blue Jays just three weeks from pitchers and catchers reporting to camp in Dunedin, Fla., there’s still work to do.

1) The outfield beyond 2026

The Blue Jays’ front office likes to be a year or two ahead on things.

A year ago, it was Andrés Giménez. The Blue Jays traded for one of the top defensive infielders in the sport one year before Bichette was scheduled to hit free agency, which was no coincidence. Giménez also represented somewhat of a surprise move, which is important to remember here. We spend so much time focused on the obvious names brought up in the never-ending offseason chatter, but the safest bet is often a move we weren’t expecting to see.

This offseason, the Blue Jays have gotten ahead of business again by signing Dylan Cease and Cody Ponce. Not only do they replace Max Scherzer and Chris Bassitt in the rotation, they prepare the Blue Jays for both Kevin Gausman and Shane Bieber hitting free agency following the 2026 season. Add in Trey Yesavage and the Blue Jays are now in fine shape moving forward.

In the Blue Jays’ outfield, there’s room for a move like this. Daulton Varsho is a free agent after the upcoming season and so is George Springer, who will spend most of his time at DH. Sure, Anthony Santander is under club control for four more years, but he likely eases into many of the DH reps vacated by Springer if all goes well. The Blue Jays will have Davis Schneider, Nathan Lukes and Joey Loperfido under control and Myles Straw has a team option, but there’s still so much room to add a long-term starter here.

The Blue Jays haven’t developed a true everyday outfielder since Kevin Pillar. To find one with offensive upside, we’re reaching back for Vernon Wells. This likely needs to come externally. The outfield trade market makes a lot of sense for this organization.

2) Is the infield finished?

The Blue Jays would start the season with these options on the 40-man roster:

1B: Vladimir Guerrero Jr.
2B: Ernie Clement, Davis Schneider, Leo Jimenez
SS: Andrés Giménez
3B: Kazuma Okamoto, Addison Barger

Of course, Barger could be needed often in right field and Schneider is more of an outfielder now himself, where he’s done well to develop his defense, but there are plenty of ways to put this puzzle together. Both Schneider and Barger bring some platoon elements to the group, too.

In the past, the Blue Jays have liked to carry a backup first baseman and bench bat. Think of Brandon Belt, Justin Turner, Daniel Vogelbach and Ty France. There could also be room for a veteran middle infielder to play a true reserve role like Isiah Kiner-Falefa did down the stretch, depending on how bullish they are on Jimenez.

This no longer feels like a need, but if the Blue Jays want to tinker with their bench depth alone, the infield feels likelier than the outfield.

3) The musical chairs of pitching

Something’s got to give … eventually.

The Blue Jays have six starters, including José Berríos, who is owed $19 million in 2026 with an opt-out following (or Berríos could opt in for ‘27-’28). The Blue Jays aren’t eager to make a move, though, and are not at all attracted to the idea of trading prospects as a way to move out salary. For now? Let’s wait and see how February goes.

The bullpen is just as crowded, though, especially with the wrinkle of two Rule 5 arms in Angel Bastardo and Spencer Miles. Newcomer Tyler Rogers is a tremendous addition, but if there’s a way for the Blue Jays to add another lefty on top of Brendon Little and Mason Fluharty, that would be attractive, and all eyes will be on Jeff Hoffman in the early months, with the Blue Jays confident he’ll bounce back.