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Blue Jays less likely to chase 3 free agents who received qualifying offers

Now that there is draft pick compensation attached that may be enough to keep the Blue Jays away.
ByMatthew Sookram
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Milwaukee Brewers first baseman Jake Bauers (9) after tagging out Tampa Bay Rays right fielder Ryan Vilade at first during Game 5 of the World Series at Tropicana Field in St. Petersburg, Fla. on Oct 28, 2026.
Milwaukee Brewers first baseman Jake Bauers (9) after tagging out Tampa Bay Rays right fielder Ryan Vilade at first during Game 5 of the World Series at Tropicana Field in St. Petersburg, Fla. on Oct 28, 2026. | USA TODAY Network via Reuters Connect

The qualifying offer deadline has passed, and the Toronto Blue Jays’ free agent board could look a little different depending on how much they value some players. Eight players now have draft pick compensation attached to them.

For some players, that is a price worth paying. For others, it might be a hurdle that the Blue Jays' front office isn't willing to jump over. Three players who received offers now stand out as long shots for the Blue Jays to chase: closer David Bednar, outfielder and designated hitter Jake Bauers, and lefty setup man Adrian Morejon.

Why Bednar, Bauers and Morejon are likely long shots for the Blue Jays

David Bednar. The Yankees are hoping their bullpen is anchored once again by 32-year-old Bednar. He'll have until 4 p.m. on Nov. 17 to accept or reject the one-year $23.15 million deal.

He has the résumé to back it up, too. Bednar was 7-3 with 35 saves and a 2.47 ERA in 64 appearances this past season. The problem for Toronto is the price. The Blue Jays don’t spend this kind of money on relievers. A qualifying offer doesn’t mean Bednar has to get $23.15 million on the open market, but that is the bar, and based on their history, it’s unlikely they go over it.

Jake Bauers. Bauers was a big reason the Milwaukee Brewers won it all in 2026. He posted some of the best numbers of his career slashing .266/.389/.484 with 26 homers over 144 games. He went on to earn NLCS MVP honors, all while making $2.7 million, so a raise is coming.

He would probably look great in a Blue Jays uniform, and Toronto could surely use his skill set and 3.7 fWAR. The fit is the issue. Bauers would more or less be a full-time DH, and he would be blocked on the field by incumbent first baseman Vladimir Guerrero Jr.

Bauers did see almost 50 games in the outfield, playing right 32 times and left 16 times, but it is still hard to see the Blue Jays giving up draft pick compensation for that kind of role.

Adrian Morejon. Over the past three years, Morejon has become one of the games most dominant relief pitchers. He has a 2.58 ERA with 248 strikeouts over 223.1 innings. It's easy to see why the Padres would want him back, even if he isn't their full time closer.

But similar to Bednar, the Blue Jays probably won’t give up draft pick compensation for a relief pitcher. There is one wrinkle, though. A few teams are said to have interest in seeing what Morejon can do starting games rather than bridging the gap to a closer, and if the Blue Jays think they can convert him into a starter, that may be worth the lost draft pick.

None of this means the Blue Jays are sitting out on any of these players. Passing on Bednar, Bauers and Morejon comes down to price, the fit and the draft pick attached to each of them.

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