One player from every 2026 Division Series playoff team who could help the Blue Jays in 2027

As the Toronto Blue Jays look for ways to improve upon last years results, one thing that can never be undervalued is postseason experience. After all, that's the goal for every team, and poaching scooping up players who have been there can only help that drive to get there again.

Whether that be by trade or free agency these players have been significant contributors elsewhere, so why not in Toronto?

Chicago White Sox - Sean Newcomb

The Blue Jays could target Newcomb in free agency as he has been as a very effective reliever for the White Sox this season. Newcomb posted a 3.09 ERA and 1.18 WHIP in 90.1 innings with 84 strikeouts.

He served in many roles for the White Sox whether it was as an opener, multi-inning reliever, high-leverage reliever, or closing out games. It is that versatility that would be very valuable for the Blue Jays and would provide them a second lefty to pair with Fluharty in the bullpen.

Cleveland Guardians - Foster Griffin

It would be a return of sorts for Griffin as he pitched one game with the Blue Jays in 2022. Griffin looked good in his return after a three-year hiatus overseas, posting a 3.60 ERA and 1.21 WHIP over 172.2 innings with 158 strikeouts with the Nationals and Guardians.

Griffin would be a good fifth starter who would eat innings for the Blue Jays though they could do better with what is out there. Griffin's underlying metrics do not paint a rosy picture but pitching depth can never be overlooked.

Atlanta Braves - Tyler Mahle

Acquired by from the Giants at the Trade Deadline, Mahle looked like a completely different pitcher. He pitched to a 1.99 ERA and 0.96 WHIP in 54.1 innings with the Braves, compared to a 5.13 ERA and 1.39 WHIP in 94.2 innings with the Giants. That performance earned Mahle a multi-year contract.

Mahle's success was driven by reducing his cutter usage with the Braves and relying heavily on his fastball-splitter combination, throwing it over 86% of the time. That splitter has been an effective weapon for Blue Jays pitchers in the past like Kevin Gausman and Mahle would be a great back end starter in their rotation in 2027.

Tampa Bay Rays - Freddy Peralta

After struggling mightily with the Mets, the Rays acquired Peralta and have seemingly fixed him. In 10 starts with the Rays, Peralta posted a 3.25 ERA and 1.01 WHIP which is a notable improvement from the 4.99 ERA and 1.48 WHIP he had with the Mets. The Rays got Peralta back to his old mechanics and increased his fastball-changeup combination using it over 80% of the time, compared to 70% with the Mets.

These adjustments helped save Peralta from taking a one-year bounceback deal on the market. For the Blue Jays, he would slot in the middle of the rotation, behind ace Dylan Cease.

Los Angeles Dodgers - Alex Vesia

Vesia has been a valuable piece in the Dodgers bullpen and prying him away may not be easy. Despite not throwing hard (highest average fastball velocity in his career was 94.4 mph), he generates lots of swing and miss, and strikeouts. He does have shaky command at times as evidenced by his 11.5% walk rate.

Vesia would be a great fit as a second lefty to Fluharty. Not only does he generate more swing and miss than Fluharty, he gives a another different arm angle to worry about, throwing from a 70 degree arm angle, which is higher than Trey Yesavage's 66 degrees.

Three hitters the Blue Jays could target that would upgrade their lineup after some postseason experience

San Diego Padres - Fernando Tatis Jr.

Padres new ownership have verbally committed to winning, but there is no indication how much they will spend. Tatis would not be the first big contract the Padres would look to move, as they have Manny Machado and Xander Bogaerts' contracts they would preferably look to move first.

Despite not hitting his first home run until May 30, Tatis finished the season hitting .289/.358/.470 with 25 home runs, 83 RBI, 38 stolen bases, and a 131 wRC+. He continued to provide elite defense in right field (5 OAA). Tatis would give the Blue Jays another elite hitter in the lineup to pair with Guerrero.

Tatis is under control until 2034, and he is set to earn $36 million annually starting in 2029. The Blue Jays could get creative and offer to take on Tatis' money entirely and offer more prospects rather than parting with multiple high quality prospects (i.e. JoJo Parker, Nolan Perry, etc.).

New York Yankees - Jazz Chisholm Jr.

Chisholm had a down season in 2026, hitting .231/.312/.399 with 19 home runs, 55 RBI, 41 stolen bases, and a 98 wRC+. Prior to this season, Chisholm had a 127 wRC+ in 183 games with the Yankees, so this would be a good buy-low opportunity. Despite defensive lapses, he was still a positive defender at second (15 OAA in 2026).

For the Blue Jays, this would be a great-buy low opportunity on a short-term deal and he would move Ernie Clement into more of a utility role, which would be a better fit.

Milwaukee Brewers - Jake Bauers

Bauers has had a career renaissance since joining the Brewers in 2024 and should be able to land a multi-year deal with whichever team signs him. In 2026, Bauers hit .266/.389/.484 with a career-high 26 home runs, 86 RBI, and 11 stolen bases.

He improved his bat speed, and in turn improved his batted ball metrics and contact quality. His 22.1% chase rate and his 93rd percentile bat speed would be huge upgrades over players in the current Blue Jays line. Where he fits best defensively remains to be seen as he has been a negative defender at first base.

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