Toronto Blue Jays’ Offseason Checklist: Key Moves Still Needed

The Toronto Blue Jays have stayed pretty active this offseason. As spring training creeps up, though, it feels like the front office still has some real work left to do.

Roster balance, long-term planning, and a crowded pitching staff all factor into what comes next. Where do the Jays stand, and why do names like Cody Bellinger keep surfacing?

Let’s dig into how Toronto’s approaching these final offseason decisions.

Blue Jays Offseason Progress: Smart Moves, Unfinished Business

Toronto acted early—credit where it’s due. Signing Dylan Cease and Cody Ponce helped address immediate rotation needs and gave the club some insurance for the future.

Cease and Ponce step in for Max Scherzer and Chris Bassitt, while also giving the Jays a buffer in case Kevin Gausman and Shane Bieber leave after 2026. That’s a more forward-thinking approach than we’ve seen from Toronto in recent years.

The Outfield Question Looms Large Beyond 2026

If there’s one spot that still nags, it’s the outfield. Even after recent tweaks, the Jays’ long-term picture out there looks pretty unsettled.

Why Cody Bellinger Makes Sense

Cody Bellinger would be a clear upgrade—he’s an everyday outfielder with real offensive upside. The Jays just don’t have that kind of bat in the outfield right now.

Daulton Varsho and George Springer are both set to hit free agency after next season. That leaves a big hole unless the team acts soon.

Anthony Santander is still under team control, but Toronto doesn’t have a long-term, middle-of-the-order outfield anchor. The internal options?

These guys all look more like supporting pieces than true starters. That’s why Bellinger and other external options keep popping up.

Infield Depth: Versatile but Still Fluid

The infield group on the projected 40-man roster looks solid enough, though there’s still some flexibility built in.

Core names are Vladimir Guerrero Jr., Andrés Giménez, and Kazuma Okamoto. They’re backed up by a rotating group of utility players.

Bench Composition Still Under Review

The Jays usually like to have a veteran bench bat or a steady backup first baseman. Ernie Clement, Davis Schneider, Leo Jimenez, and Addison Barger give manager John Schneider some options, but nobody’s locked in yet.

If the front office isn’t totally sold on Jimenez being ready, they might still go after a veteran middle infielder before the offseason ends.

A Crowded Rotation and Cautious Payroll Strategy

The rotation is a real puzzle right now. With six starters in the mix, someone’s probably going to get squeezed out eventually.

José Berríos stands out here. His $19 million salary in 2026 and his opt-out clause make future planning a bit tricky.

The Jays don’t want to trade away prospects just to clear some salary. So, the front office seems willing to wait until February and reassess rather than force a move that doesn’t make sense.

Bullpen Depth and Early-Season Watch Points

The bullpen looks crowded, and it’s even more complicated this year thanks to two Rule 5 picks — Angel Bastardo and Spencer Miles. The club also brought in lefty Tyler Rogers, which shakes things up even more.

Even with all these arms, Toronto would still take another left-handed reliever if the right one comes along. Early-season performance and health are going to matter, especially for Jeff Hoffman, who the team hopes can bounce back after a rough patch.

 
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