5 players we hope stay out of the AL East next year

While the Toronto Blue Jays will work hard to improve this offseason, they’ll also be hoping that their AL East division rivals don’t get significantly better in 2027.

The Tampa Bay Rays won the American League this year. The New York Yankees and Boston Red Sox both made the playoffs. The Baltimore Orioles are flawed but talented. All of them could compete for the division title next year if they bring in the right guys. 

There are several free agents and trade candidates that could be considered "the right guy" for any of these teams. If the Blue Jays rivals do acquire them, it could make a huge difference in who ends the year on top.

Tarik Skubal and Ketel Marte are two players the Blue Jays better hope don't end up in the AL East

Tarik Skubal 

This one shouldn’t need much explanation. Skubal is arguably the best pitcher in the sport, depending on how you feel about Jacob Misiorowski. He’s going to sign the biggest contract for a starting pitcher in MLB history this winter for good reason. 

Nightmares are made of Skubal on the Yankees. Pairing him with Cam Schlittler would give New York one of the best duos ever assembled. The same could be said of Skubal joining forces with Garrett Crochet in Boston, assuming the latter comes back healthy in 2027. The Rays or Orioles probably won’t be able to afford him, thankfully. 

Hunter Goodman

Goodman is just good, man. He crushed a career-high 41 home runs in 2026 while representing the Colorado Rockies at the All-Star Game for the second straight year. He’s a rarity as a true slugger behind the plate in this era of baseball.

The Yankees and Orioles both need to upgrade at catcher. Austin Wells isn’t the future in New York, while Baltimore would probably be better off keeping Samuel Basallo in a designated hitter role. Swinging a deal for Goodman would make both significantly better in the short and long term. 

Ketel Marte

Things appear to have gone sour between Marte and the Arizona Diamondbacks after his latest mid-season disappearing act. How long before both sides agree that a divorce is in everyone’s best interests? 

If Marte agrees to be moved, the Blue Jays better hope it’s not to an AL East team. He’d fit on every roster—including their own—and is still an elite hitter at a position where those are hard to find. While yes, it would be nice to watch a rival endure the drama and headaches that come with Marte, his ability on the diamond can’t be overlooked. 

Ronald Acuña Jr. 

Speaking of relationships that have gone south, could the Atlanta Braves decide to move on from their oft-injured and now apparently disgruntled star? 

The Blue Jays should be first in line if Acuña is available. Surely the Orioles and Rays would be all over him given their needs in the outfield. Boston already has a roster crunch, but the Yankees would assuredly find a way to make it work. Toronto better hope Atlanta ships him elsewhere if they move him. 

Teruaki Sato

Sato has the look of a future star as he prepares to make the jump from Japan’s NPB to MLB. He just won the Triple Crown overseas, and could be an impact bat immediately upon arrival. 

Given Sato’s ability to play corner infield as well as the outfield, he could fit on every AL East roster. The Yankees in particular have a need at third base and always have the money to spend. Boston could also be players as they look to improve a lineup that went completely cold down the stretch. Either outcome would be bad news for the Blue Jays.

There is no doubt the Blue Jays' division rivals are going to be making moves that won't be particularily favourable for Toronto. But as long as these names stay out of the AL East there may be more reason to believe in the Blue Jays again in 2027.

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