3 hitters the Blue Jays should pursue to upgrade their offense this winter

As the 2026 regular season winds down, some teams are preparing for October baseball while others are preparing for offseason planning. The Toronto Blue Jays, who are in middle of a chase for the third Wild Card spot, they are planning for both scenarios.

For a team that made it to Game 7 of the World Series and took the Dodgers to the very end, to miss the postseason the following year would be considered a major disappointment. Some of that disappointment can be attributed to the offense taking a major step back after breaking out in 2025.

Regardless of how they finish the season, changes are coming in the offseason. The Blue Jays will need to address their offense and some of that can come through the trade market. In a recent MLB.com article by Mark Feinsand, he suggests there may be a few bats the Blue Jays should inquire about.

CJ Abrams is one hitter the Blue Jays should pursue on the trade market this winter

CJ Abrams

After tantalizing baseball fans with his capabilities the past couple of seasons, Abrams has put together a breakout 2026 season. Abrams is currently hitting .259/.337/.490 with 30 HR, 95 RBI, and 28 SB (as of Sept. 10).

In the past couple of seasons, Abrams would have electric first halves but would struggle mightily in the second halves. In the first half of 2024, Abrams hit .268/.343/.489 with a 127 wRC+. In that second half, Abrams hit a measly .203/.260/.326 with only a 62 wRC+. In 2025, Abrams put up .287/.353/.483 and a 130 wRC+ in the first half, but again fell off in the second half, hitting .217/.266/.368 with a 73 wRC+.

In 2026, Abrams put up another electric first half, hitting .275/.352/.510 while posting a 132 wRC+. While he has fallen off in the second half, the drop off hasn't been as precipitous, hitting .228/.307/.451 but with a 105 wRC+.

Abrams' breakout this season has been attributed to hitting less ground balls, getting to his pull side power more, and swinging the bat faster. In 2026, Abrams is hitting ground balls at a career-low 36.3%, pulling the bull in the air at a career-high 24.6%, and has the highest bat speed of his career at 73 mph.

Defensively, Abrams has graded as a poor defender at shortstop. According to Statcast, his -17 OAA ranks last along with Willy Adames. The Nationals have made an effort to address Abrams' defensive issues by moving him to second base.

Abrams would be a great fit on the Blue Jays and is controllable for two more seasons. Offensively, Abrams would provide the Blue Jays some insurance for Guerrero Jr. Defensively, with Gimenez cemented at shortstop, Abrams can slot in at second base, moving Clement into a utility role.

Jarren Duran

Duran represents an interesting buy-low opportunity for teams. For the Blue Jays, that would mean trading with a division rival, but that's something they're not afraid of. In 2024, for example, the Blue Jays traded Danny Jansen to Red Sox.

After posting a career year in 2024 where Duran hit .285/.342/.492 with 21 HR, 75 RBI, 34 SB, and a 132 wRC+, Duran took a step slight back the following season with a .256/.332/.442 slash line and 16 HR, 84 RBI, 24 SB and a wRC+ of 112.

However, in 2026, Duran has taken a major step back. Duran is currently hitting .207/.263/.367 with 20 HR, 69 RBI, 18 SB, with a paltry 69 wRC+. Swing and miss issues have been the main cause for Duran's regression. In his career season, his K% was 21.8%, that number jumped up to 24.3% in 2025, and is up to 27.6% in 2026.

In order for Duran re-discover his old form, he'll need to get him back in the zone more. In 2024, Duran was league average in both Chase% and Whiff% at 28.1% and 24.8%, respectively. In 2026, Duran ranks in the 20th percentile in Chase% and 5th percentile in Whiff%, as they are 34.7% and 33.9%, respectively.

Defensively, Duran has graded as a positive defender in left field. His 5 OAA ranks third amongst all qualified left fielders in 2026. He also possesses above average arm strength.

Controllable for two more seasons, Duran would be a good fit on the Blue Jays and a significant upgrade from Jesús Sánchez, who is looking like a non-tender candidate.

Garrett Mitchell

On a surface level, Mitchell is not having an otherworldly season, hitting .258/.350/.408 with 9 HR, 57 RBI, and 13 SB with a 113 wRC+. What makes Mitchell intriguing are his underlying numbers.

According to Baseball Savant, Mitchell possess an elite ability to hit the ball hard and frequently. Mitchell ranks top-5 in bat speed (77.6 mph), Hard Hit% (52.8%), and average exit velocity (93.2 mph). Mitchell is able to do this while showing great plate discipline as he can draw walks (11.4% BB%), and does not chase a lot (22.6% Chase%).

Mitchell's areas for improvements are his quality of contact. His 55.8% GB% and 31.7% LA Sweet-Spot% ranks in the 12th and 23rd percentiles, respectively. For Mitchell to posses elite batted ball metrics but consistently hit the ball into the ground, there is a huge opportunity waiting for the Blue Jays.

While there are concerns about his swing and miss as his 36.4 Whiff% ranks in the 2nd percentile, guys like Kyle Schwarber and James Wood are able to whiff at similar rates but do a lot of damage when they make contact. If Mitchell learns to lift the ball more, he would become an elite hitter.

Defensively, Mitchell is a quality center fielder. His 6 OAA ranks in the 91st percentile among center fielders and his 89th percentile arm strength makes him a viable threat to throw runners out. While Bateman is currently in center field, either him or Mitchell could move to left field.

Mitchell is a diamond in the rough waiting to be discovered and is controllable for two more seasons. If Mitchell were to figure it out, he would be a top of the order threat, elite base runner, and elite defender.

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