5 former Blue Jays who remain unemployed heading into the 2026 season

Earlier in February, there were over a dozen former Toronto Blue Jays players that were without a job heading into Spring Training this year. Most would have assumed that some of them would eventually find a new home in the subsequent weeks, with more than half of them already having done so. Of course, among them included the inspiring re-signing of future Hall of Famer Max Scherzer by the Blue Jays to a one-year deal for his one more shot at glory.

But others still remaining in free agency limbo entering the 2026 MLB season.

5 former Blue Jays who remain unemployed heading into the 2026 season

Chad Green

With the Blue Jays hoping that a revitalized Chad Green from 2024 could help lead the way for the bullpen, Green would ultimately become the Blue Jays worst investment in 2025 when all was said and done. Despite a promising start to the year, the 34-year-old veteran reliever would compile a dismal 5.56 ERA, 1.47 WHIP, while giving up 51 hits including 14 long balls in just 43.2 innings pitched in total. Things got so bad that Green didn’t even end up finishing the season with Toronto and was eventually released from the team following the 2025 trade deadline. He has since been jobless for the past seven months and counting.

Justin Turner 

Justin Turner may have been a notable star during his 17-year MLB career. But that time may be on the verge of expiring as Turner endured one of his worst seasons with the Chicago Cubs in 2025. Playing primarily in a reserve role, the 41-year-old veteran amassed just a .219/.288/.324/.602 slash line along with 14 runs scored, three home runs and 18 RBIs in 80 total games with the Cubs. As much as Turner would like to continue his professional baseball career for at least one more season, Father Time might actually be calling him out for good.

Marcus Stroman

Former two-time All-Star and Blue Jays’ ace Marcus Stroman at one point strung together four consecutive seasons with an ERA under 4.00 prior to joining the New York Yankees. But that's where Stroman would see his career go in turmoil after struggling with the Bronx Bombers during the past couple of seasons.

In particular in 2025, the 34-year-old right-hander pitched to a 6.23 ERA, 1.54 WHIP, while giving up 27 runs on 44 hits in just 39 innings over nine starts. More worrisome was the fact that there wasn’t any takers for Stroman when the Yankees tried to move him at the trade deadline. Unfortunately, that scant interest has since carried over now into the offseason as clubs have yet to give him a call.

Kendall Graveman

As a once-promising reliever that has had his career derailed by injuries in recent years, Kendall Graveman has failed to rediscover his game since returning to the big leagues. After missing the entire 2024 campaign due to shoulder surgery, Graveman would get his shot with the Arizona Diamondbacks in 2025.

However, he would struggle to a gaudy 7.13 ERA, 1.98 WHIP, giving up almost as much runs as innings pitched while walking more batters (12) than striking them out (9) over 19 relief appearances. Graveman was ultimately designated for assignment and released by the Diamondbacks in August and has had trouble securing a home with a new team ever since.

Rowdy Tellez

Surprisingly, former Blue Jays fan favourite Rowdy Tellez has still yet to latch on with a new MLB squad for the upcoming season. Among all of the remaining unemployed former Blue Jays, Tellez has potentially the most to give in the midst of his prime at age 30. He is coming off a 2025 campaign that saw him still put up solid offensive numbers with 34 runs scored, 11 doubles, 17 home runs and 49 RBIs in 289 at-bats split between the Seattle Mariners and Texas Rangers.

More importantly, Tellez remains effective against right-handed pitching with a .753 OPS and all 17 of his homers off righties in 2025. As a result, those that are looking for a power lefty bat to use as a platoon either at first base or designated hitter should be calling for him soon.