Jose Berrios tantrum reveals rare chemistry issue in Blue Jays' clubhouse

For the last half-decade, José Berríos has been a constant in the Toronto Blue Jays' rotation. He's thrown 790 1/3 innings since being acquired at the 2021 trade deadline, recording a 4.09 ERA and 4.36 FIP in that time.

He's been remarkably consistent throughout his entire career, having tossed at least 165 innings in every full season since 2018. In fact, he was placed on the injured list for the first time in his 10-year career at the end of the 2025 season, getting shut down due to elbow inflammation.

That injury led to him not pitching at all in the Blue Jays' World Series run, though it appears there were other factors at play. According to Keegan Matheson of MLB.com, Berrios was unwilling to pitch out of the bullpen in October, and ultimately stepped away from the team during their attempt to win a championship.

Jose Berrios' declining stuff and attitude could get him shipped out of Toronto

At the Winter Meetings, Matheson caught up with Atkins, and the Blue Jays' general manager made it clear that Berrios wasn't happy with how the postseason played out: “He was not happy. He was disappointed that he wasn’t in our rotation. He handled it well, but then when it came down to roster selection, he wasn’t on it.”

Atkins did say their relationship remains solid and professional, but it's becoming clearer and clearer that Berrios may be the odd-man out in the Blue Jays' rotation logjam.

It's understandable why Berrios, a two-time All-Star with a career 3.60 ERA in the playoffs, would feel entitled to a rotation spot. However, with Kevin Gausman and rookie Trey Yesavage carrying a lot of the load, veteran Cy Young winners Max Scherzer and Shane Bieber were logical picks to handle the remaining starting pitching duties for manager John Schneider.

Plus, Berrios was coming off his worst season since 2022 and an elbow injury; it would have been unreasonable for him to make his World Series comeback in a high-leverage role against the Los Angeles Dodgers. As it stands, Gausman, Yesavage, and Bieber, as well as free-agent additions Dylan Cease and Cody Ponce, should represent the team's starting five in 2026. Though Atkins said he wants Berrios back next year as a rotation option, it's possible that he (and others) is being crowded out.

Even with three years and roughly $68 million remaining on his contract (plus an opt out after 2026), Berrios' consistency and pedigree should fetch a decent return on the trade market, if that's the path the Blue Jays choose to go. Given the way things unfolded behind the scenes during the postseason, it's possible that may be the best option going forward.