Big splashes the Blue Jays should make before the lockout

The Collective Bargaining Agreement expires on Dec. 1, and the Toronto Blue Jays have their work cut out to address their roster holes. Their laundry list includes: adding a pitcher to the rotation or bullpen, filling out left field, and upgrading second base.

Although this year's free agent class is not as strong compared to the previous years, there are high-profile names that are available on the market, such as Tarik Skubal, Jazz Chisholm Jr., and Seiya Suzuki to name a few. If the Blue Jays want to explore the trade market, Ketel Marte, Corey Seager, and Jacob deGrom could potentially be available.

World Series rings are not won during the offseason, but the moves they make can definitely put them in the best possible position to win.

The Blue Jays would be in good shape with these moves heading into the lockout

1. Sign Jazz Chisholm

After a disastrous second half from Ernie Clement in which he hit .203/.235/.259, the 2026 All-Star should not be guaranteed the starting second base job heading into 2027. His .259/.285/.364 line in 2026 would suggest that he is better off in a non-everyday role.

Though the options at shortstop are very bleak in free agency, the same can not be said about second base. Chisholm, Brandon Lowe, and Gleyber Torres are the top options available at the keystone.

Out of those three, Chisholm should be the Blue Jays top target. Although he had a down 2026, Chisholm has put up at least 3.5 fWAR the last three seasons. Given that the Yankees decided not to give Chisholm the qualifying offer, the Blue Jays would not have to surrender a draft pick to their rival to sign the the 28 year old.

2. Sign Seiya Suzuki

If there is a player that the Blue Jays would not having a problem losing a draft pick to sign, Suzuki would be one of them. If the Blue Jays were to sign Lowe, for example, the chances that they would be willing to sacrifice a second draft pick would be slim.

Suzuki would help address some of the lineup issues. His 89th percentile chase rate (22.5%) in 2026 would help a Blue Jays lineup that ranked 28th in chase rate (32.9%). The Blue Jays were dead last in hard-hit rate (34%) and Suzuki's career 45.4% hard-hit would certainly provide the jolt the offense needs.

Given the uncertainty of Anthony Santander and his social media controversy, the Blue Jays should operate under the impression that they need a left fielder heading into 2027. When healthy, Santander was most likely ticketed for the DH role anyways.

3. Sign Sonny Gray

Though the Blue Jays are scheduled to have a meeting with Tarik Skubal, their interest in the lefty should be considered due diligence at best. That is not to say the Blue Jays cannot sign Skubal, they definitely have the financial resources to afford him.

Sonny Gray becomes one of the top obtainable options on the market. Having already received the qualifying offer in the past, Gray would not cost the Blue Jays a draft pick. Although the 37-year-old outperformed some of his underlying metrics (2.72 ERA vs 3.47 FIP), he should not command a super long-term deal and would bolster what is already a strong rotation heading into 2027.

4. Sign Adrian Morejon

Morejon was a prime candidate to be converted to a starter, but it was recently revealed that his preference was to remain a reliever. Despite the desire to stay as a reliever, he would be another player the Blue Jays should not lose sleep over losing a draft pick for.

Coming off a career year in which he averaged the best velocity on his fastball (99.4 mph), and put up 93rd percentile or higher chase (38.6%), whiff (34.2%), and strikeout (30.4%) rates, Morejon is due for a massive payday.

Adding Morejon to what is already a deep bullpen, Morejon would be the go-to lefty in high-leverage situations, and is capable of getting multiple outs when needed. He would make a great pairing with recently named AL Reliever of the Year, Louis Varland.

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