5 former Blue Jays without a job heading into 2025 spring training

These former Jays have yet to find a home for 2025.
ByEdward Eng|
Los Angeles Angels v Toronto Blue Jays
Los Angeles Angels v Toronto Blue Jays | Kevin Sousa/GettyImages
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Whit Merrifield

Whit Meffifield
Apr 24, 2023: Toronto Blue Jays first baseman Vladimir Guerrero Jr. (27) pours the water bucket on Toronto Blue Jays left fielder Whit Merrifield (15) against the Chicago White Sox at the end of the ninth inning at Rogers Centre. | Nick Turchiaro-Imagn Images

After appearing to be on the decline in 2022, Merrifield had a renaissance season with the Jays during his 2023 campaign. He posted a .272 average, .700 OPS,11 home runs, 67 RBI and 26 stolen bases in 145 games played and was named an All-Star. Merrifield parlayed that into a one-year contract with the Philadelphia Phillies ahead of the 2024 season.

Merrifield's Phillies tenure ended up being a disaster. The 36-year-old utilityman batted a dismal .199 in 53 games played before being released by Philadelphia in July

Merrifield managed to catch on with the Atlanta Braves later in the season and did okay ( .248 average in 42 games), but was left off Atlanta's playoff roster.

Merrifield hasn’t had a sniff of action so far in the free agent market this offseason, and has even even contemplated retirement to spend more time with his family if he doesn’t end up landing a gig according to MLB.com's Mark Bowman.

Justin Turner

Justin Turner
Jul 24, 2024: Toronto Blue Jays designated hitter Justin Turner (2) hits a RBI single against the Tampa Bay Rays during the eighth inning at Rogers Centre. | Nick Turchiaro-Imagn Images

It wasn’t too long ago that Turner was one of the Jays’ key offseason signings.

While Justin Turner started hot in 2024, Father Time appeared to catch up with the 39-year-old veteran as he struggled mightily as the season went on. Turner registered a .256 batting average, with six home runs and 31 RBI in 91 games with the Jays before being dealt to the Seattle Mariners at the trade deadline for outfielder prospect RJ Shreck.

In the end, Turner finished the year a .259 average, .737 OPS, 11 home runs and 55 RBI in 139 total games split between Toronto and Seattle. Those offensive numbers represented his lowest output in a non-shortened season since way back in 2014 with the Los Angeles Dodgers. Despite recently turning 40, Turner vowed to keep playing in 2025.