3 Blue Jays extension candidates Toronto should consider before it gets costly

In recent seasons, teams have been looking to lock down their young talent to long-term extensions. There's equal risk to both sides, as teams are paying more in the present hoping the player will be worth what they're getting paid or better. For players, they secure themselves financial stability but potentially lose out on extra earnings.

Recent examples of players signing early extensions include: Konnor Griffin, Kevin McGonigle, JJ Wetherholt, and Chase Burns. The Blue Jays have some young talent of their own that could be worth extending. With a potential lock out looming and proposals of a salary cap, the Blue Jays should look at extending these players before the CBA expires on December 1.

These two players and a dark horse candidate should be considered for a extension

Trey Yesavage should definitely be considered for an extension

Drafted 20th overall in the 2024 MLB Draft, Yesavage made a rapid ascent up the Minor Leagues and last season and made his debut in mid-September. In his second career start, Yesavage helped the Blue Jays clinch a postseason berth and in his next start, helped the Blue Jays win the AL East.

From there, Yesavage would have a strong postseason run. In his postseason debut, Yesavage dominated the Yankees over five hitless innings, while setting the single-season franchise record for most strike outs with 11. He would cap off his postseason run with setting the all-time rookie record for most strike outs in a World Series with 12.

While Yesavage has not been able to fully carry the momentum over into this season, he has looked like a Major League caliber pitcher. In 18 starts, Yesavage has a 3.65 ERA and 1.14 WHIP. Injuries have been an issue for Yesavage as he began the season on the injured list, and recently went down with a meniscus injury, though he is set to make his return soon.

At 23-years-old, Yesavage is someone the Blue Jays should look into extending before the CBA expires. By extending him, the Blue Jays could buy out some free agent years and keep him cost-controlled should he outperform the contract.

When looking at what a potential extension would look like, only two pitchers have signed pre-arb extensions with just over one year of service time: Spencer Strider and Hunter Greene. Strider had put up 4.8 WAR before signing his extension. Greene on the other hand accumulated 1.6 WAR after making his debut in 2022.

Looking at Yesavage, he currently has 1.8 WAR in his career. Had Yesavage stayed healthy all season, he would have accumulated more WAR and it would affect how much he could get. With that said, something along the lines of Hunter Greene's six-year, $53-million extension would be a reasonable price for Yesavage.

Too early for Louis?

Louis Varland has been a huge revelation for the Blue Jays bullpen. Acquired from the Minneosta Twins at the 2025 Trade Deadline, Varland rose up quickly in manager John Schneider's circle of trust.

During the 2025 postseason, Varland pitched in 15 out of the team's 18 postseason games. Varland would be tasked with either getting multiple outs, coming into high-leverage situations, or even acting as the opener in the series clinching Game 4 against the Yankees during the ALDS.

Heading into 2026, Varland was going to be the setup man for then-closer, Jeff Hoffman. After Hoffman unravelled to begin the season, he was removed from the role and Varland would eventually take over. Varland would cease to relinquish the role and relished in it, even being named a 2026 All-Star.

The case for extending Louis is a tricky situation, given the volatile nature of relievers year over year. Since 2020, the only relievers to have signed pre-arb extensions are: Justin Martinez (2025), Trevor Stephan (2023), Andrés Muñoz (2022), Emmanuel Clase (2022), and Aaron Bummer (2020).

Shortly after signing, Martinez and Stephan needed Tommy John surgery. While Martinez recently returned to the Major Leagues, Stephan has severely struggled and was outrighted from the Guardians roster. Muñoz was named an All-Star in 2024 and 2025. Clase has been on the restricted list since July 2025 after allegations of sports betting. Bummer struggled in 2023 and was traded to the Atlanta Braves. He was released by the Braves in May 2026.

Since becoming a full-time reliever, Varland has accumulated 4.1 WAR up to this point. There are no recent performances that can set a baseline for a comparable contract. His 2.9 WAR (and counting) this season alone is higher than what each of the relievers above accumulated before signing.

Varland is controllable through the 2030 season meaning there is no rush to sign him long term. The only rush to sign him would be if the Blue Jays believe he can keep up the performance over the long-term.

José Soriano is a dark horse candidate to be extended

Acquired from the Angels for a package of prospects headlined by Arjun Nimmala, José Soriano has been a solid contributor in the Blue Jays rotation. He has formed a formidable 1-2 punch with Dylan Cease in an injury-ravaged Blue Jays rotation.

Admittedly, the numbers have not blown anyone away since being acquired by the Angels. In eight starts, Soriano has a 4.27 ERA and 1.32 WHIP. The surface numbers suggest that Soriano has not been as good, there is room for optimism, however.

Known for his groundball tendencies, his GB% is up to 56 percent with the Jays compared to 51.9 percent with the Angels. Soriano's BB% has dropped from 11.2 percent before the trade to 8.2 percent since. Soriano's also experienced some batted ball unluckiness as his .303 BABIP would be in line with his career high (.306).

Tanner Bibee's five-year, $48-million extension would be a baseline for a Soriano extension. Before Bibee signed in 2025, he put up at least 3 WAR in his previous two seasons. Despite having a 4.26 ERA and 1.40 WHIP last season, Soriano was worth 2.8 WAR, which was a career high. Soriano has the potential to be worth more than 2.8 WAR now that he's in an organization that can develop pitching.

Given the cost to acquire Soriano, securing an extension would be the logical next step for the Blue Jays. At 27 years old, Soriano is controllable for only two more seasons and it would be wise of the Blue Jays to secure him sooner than later.

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