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Choose your offseason: three paths for the Blue Jays this winter

Mapping out different scenarios for Toronto to get better in free agency.
ByBen Wrixon
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Oct 11, 2026; Milwaukee, Wisconsin, USA; Los Angeles Dodgers pitcher Tarik Skubal (29) reacts during the fifth inning against the Milwaukee Brewers in game one of the NLCS for the 2026 MLB Playoffs at American Family Field. Mandatory Credit: Benny Sieu-Imagn Images
Oct 11, 2026; Milwaukee, Wisconsin, USA; Los Angeles Dodgers pitcher Tarik Skubal (29) reacts during the fifth inning against the Milwaukee Brewers in game one of the NLCS for the 2026 MLB Playoffs at American Family Field. Mandatory Credit: Benny Sieu-Imagn Images | IMAGN IMAGES via Reuters Connect

The Toronto Blue Jays enter the offseason at an interesting inflection point. They have several needs heading into 2027 after a last-place finish in the American League East, yet still aren’t far removed from a World Series appearance.

November therefore figures to be a busy month in Blue Jays land. There are several paths the front office could take as general manager Ross Atkins and company decide how best to allocate their resources. Will they prioritize adding an impact bat, or put an emphasis on pitching? Here are three potential roadmaps they could follow.

Three blue prints for the Blue Jays to follow this offseason

Path One: All-In on Offense

  • Seiya Suzuki - 5 years, $110 million
  • Brandon Lowe - 2B - 3 years, $66 million
  • Tyler Mahle - SP - 2 years, $28 million

The Blue Jays fielded one of the worst lineups in the history of the franchise in 2026—this route will ensure that doesn’t happen again. 

Suzuki and Lowe are two veteran bats coming off excellent seasons with their respective clubs. The former would become Toronto’s everyday left fielder, while the latter would man second base while forcing Ernie Clement and Andrés Giménez into a platoon at shortstop. Together they would probably add at least 50 home runs to the lineup next season.

Mahle, meanwhile, would help shore up the back end of the rotation after reviving his career down the stretch after being traded to the Atlanta Braves. 

Path Two: Building a Super Rotation

  • Tarik Skubal - 10 years, $450 million
  • Kevin Gausman - 1 year, $18 million
  • Taylor Ward - 1 year, $8 million

The Blue Jays have shown a willingness to go big game hunting in free agency, so why wouldn’t they throw their hat in the ring to land Skubal? 

Pairing the two-time Cy Young Award winner with current ace Dylan Cease would give Toronto the nastiest one-two punch in the game. He feels increasingly likely to sign with whichever team is willing to offer him the most guaranteed money. A reunion with Gausman would round out the rotation behind those two, with Trey Yesavage, and José Soriano claiming the mid-rotation roles.

Ward is a bounce-back candidate coming off a disaster of a season. The former 30-home run hitter could provide some much-needed power and plate discipline as a corner outfielder. 

Path Three: The Best of Both Worlds

  • Teruaki Satō - 7 years, $150 million
  • Trevor Rogers - 5 years, $90 million
  • Paul Blackburn - 3 years, $36 million

Kazuma Okamoto’s successful rookie season in 2026 should only further the Blue Jays’ confidence shopping overseas in the Japanese market — enter Satō. 

The 27-year-old infielder fresh off winning the Triple Crown in NPB after hitting .306 with 39 home runs and 106 RBIs. He’s a third baseman by trade, but could slot in at one of the corner outfield spots after playing right field during the World Baseball Classic. There is no reason to think he won’t be an impact bat immediately upon arrival.

Rogers would become a much-needed southpaw in the Blue Jays’ rotation, while Blackburn profiles as a Swiss Army Knife capable of handling several roles. 

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