Quick postseason exits in 2022 and 2023 left the Blue Jays wondering last winter if their core roster was good enough to compete for a World Series. Heading into this offseason, the question is now if the Jays' core can even still contend at all, after the team cratered to a 74-88 record. In what could potentially be Vladimir Guerrero Jr.'s last season in Toronto, the Jays are under enormous pressure to turn things around.
Guaranteed Contracts
- Jose Berrios, SP: $84MM through 2028 (Berrios has opt-out clause after 2026 season)
- Kevin Gausman, SP: $46MM through 2026
- George Springer, OF: $45MM through 2026
- Yariel Rodriguez, SP/RP: $22MM through 2028 (includes $6MM player option for 2028; Blue Jays have $10MM club option if Rodriguez declines)
- Chris Bassitt, SP: $21MM through 2025
- Bo Bichette, SS: $16.5MM through 2025
- Chad Green, RP: $10.5MM through 2025
Other Commitments
- Roughly $1.22MM to the Pirates to cover a portion of Isiah Kiner-Falefa's 2025 salary
2025 financial commitments: $117.72MM
Total future commitments: $246.22MM
Arbitration-Eligible Players (projections from MLBTR contributor Matt Swartz)
- Vladimir Guerrero Jr. (5.157): $29.6MM
- Erik Swanson (5.059): $3.2MM
- Jordan Romano (5.051): $7.75MM
- Genesis Cabrera (5.011): $2.5MM
- Dillon Tate (4.144): $1.9MM
- Daulton Varsho (4.128): $7.7MM
- Alejandro Kirk (4.047): $4.1MM
- Alek Manoah (3.063): $2.4MM
- Zach Pop (2.171): $1MM
- Ernie Clement (2.168): $1.7MM
- Non-tender candidates: Cabrera, Pop, Tate
Free Agents
After a comparatively average 2023 season, Guerrero responded with a huge year that re-established him as one of baseball's top hitters. Daulton Varsho also improved to roughly league-average offense, and continued his exceptional glovework in Toronto's outfield. Alejandro Kirk has quietly become something of the catching equivalent of Varsho, as a standout defender whose bat leaves something to be desired. Kevin Gausman, Jose Berrios, and Chris Bassitt were more good than great this season but they bring a lot of durability and general effectiveness to the rotation. They'll be joined in next year's staff by Bowden Francis, whose sudden emergence in the second half made him like a budding ace, let alone simply worthy of a starting role.
Unlock Subscriber-Exclusive Articles Like This One With a Trade Rumors Front Office Subscription
- Access weekly subscriber-only articles by Tim Dierkes, Steve Adams, and Anthony Franco.
- Join exclusive weekly live chats with Anthony.
- Remove ads and support our writers.
- Access GM-caliber tools like our MLB Contract Tracker
30 Parks
Jays’ front office lacks the vision required to put a team over-the-top.
NYCityRiddler
Too easy, have you ever seen any of 3 stooges clips -Schneider, Shapiro & Atkins -nuff said. Next! Ahahahaha!
NoSaint
They should have sold off at the past trade deadline. They don’t have the money in the budget to land enough quality FA’s and there isn’t enough talent on the farm to trade for talent or play a role to be a difference maker. Atkins and Shapiro have a team/farm system of mainly utility players.
CTS4
Really, the only thing Toronto fans want to hear, is shapiro and his baggage have been fired …..