Has this contract become a burden for the Toronto Blue Jays?

The Toronto Blue Jays enter the 2025-26 offseason in one of the best places they have been in, in a long time. Sure, they didn't finish the job in the 2025 World Series, just missing out on their first title in a decade, but they proved they could play on the biggest stage and a lot of the roster that got them to the Fall Classic will be coming back.

One player who is slated to return but whose status of how valuable he'll be to the club is starting pitcher José Berrios. In 2021, Berrios finished in the top 10 for AL Cy Young voting, after a mid-season trade that sent him from the Twins to the Blue Jays. After the season, Berrios signed a seven-year, $131 million contract to remain a Blue Jay. Since then, Berrios hasn't been very productive.

With Kevin Gausman, Shane Bieber and Trey Yesavage slated as the teams top three in the rotation, Berrios could become expendable this offseason. However, the Blue Jays might not be able to fine anyone willing to take on that contract.

Has this contract become a burden for the Toronto Blue Jays?

Recently, Joel Reuter of Bleacher Report wrote an article titled "MLB's 10 Most Untradeable Contracts." Reuter named Berrios' contract with the Blue Jays as the ninth most untradable contract in his article. Berrios has three years, $67 million remaining on his deal, for an average of $22.33 million per year. Berrios' performance since 2022 has not reflected those earnings.

"If he were a free agent, it's not out of the question to think he might command $12-15 million on a one-year deal, but the three years remaining on his seven-year, $131 million contract are going to make it virtually impossible to trade him," Reuter said about Berrios.

Berrios' first full season in Toronto in 2022 was a huge letdown when he finished with a 5.23 ERA in 32 starts. 2023 and 2024 were better when Berrios had a 3.65 ERA in '23 and 3.60 ERA in '24, but he struggled this past season. He allowed six runs on Opening Day, but bounced back and was one of the better pitchers in the rotation in June and July. It seemed like Berrios was going to be a pivotal x-factor in the rotation for the Blue Jays' postseason chase.

By late September, Berrios was moved to the bullpen, pitching in just one game before landing on the IL, which ended he season prematurely. Overall in 2025, Berrios finished with a 4.17 ERA in 31 games pitched and seemed bitter about the moves the Blue Jays made at the end of the year. When the Blue Jays called up Yesavage and put him in the rotation over Berrios he responded
to the move by saying, "Honestly, I don't feel happy talking about it."

Berrios could return to the rotation in 2026 with starters Max Scherzer and Chris Bassitt both free agents this offseason. If the Blue Jays lose one or both starters, the team will need to put someone in the rotation. That is where Berrios could redeem himself with a strong year, which will be even more crucial if Shane Bieber and Kevin Gausman leave after 2026.

Time will tell this offseason whether or not the Blue Jays can or want to trade Berrios. While the Blue Jays may want to dump Berrios' contract to another team, three years remaining is a tough contract to find a suitor for.