Ranking Blue Jays free agent targets based on Ross Atkins' recent history

Ross Atkins always has a game plan. The General Manager of the Toronto Blue Jays has followed that game plan over the past two seasons in an effort to win within this current window.

He tends to swing early and tries to grab someone at the top of the market. He also looks overseas to try and reel in a player from the Asian market. Atkins also stopped being shy about spending money on his bullpen the past two offseasons and is continously looking for someone with slug.

It feels like once again, that's going to be Atkins' playbook before the 2027 season (hopefully) begins. With those examples we should have a pretty good idea of who Atkins will likely be targeting this winter.

Five free agents who fit Ross Atkins' type for building the Blue Jays

1. Freddy Peralta - Comparable to Dylan Cease

Peralta is the closest thing to last winter's big move when Atkins landed Cease for seven years and $210 million. The 30-year-old Peralta had a strange 2026 season. He was traded by Milwaukee to the Mets in January where he went 5-9 with a 4.99 ERA in 22 starts.

He was then flipped to Tampa Bay at the deadline and was a different pitcher entirely. He went 5-2 with a 3.25 ERA. His AL Pitcher of the Month award for September was a precursor to being named ALCS MVP after posting a 0.75 ERA in 12 innings.

While his World Series Game 3 start wasn't what the Rays wanted (4.2 innings, five earned runs) he's still projected to land a deal that could be around five years and $140 million (according to Jim Bowden of The Athletic). Some people may see $140 million next to Peralta and think that would be an overpay, much like they did when Cease signed with Toronto.

But Cease proved the doubters wrong, and while the rotation isn't necessarily the biggest priority for Toronto this offseason, getting a big name pitcher to insulate against injuries would be a very Atkins type move.

2. Teruaki Sato, 3B/RF - Comparable to Kazuma Okamoto

This is the direct sequel to the Okamoto signing from last winter. The 27-year-old Sato was the NPB MVP in 2026 with Hanshin, hitting .306/.383/.609 with 39 home runs and 106 RBI and winning the Triple Crown.

ESPN projects a five year, $115 million deal. The Okamoto signing was the Blue Jays' first real boon in the Pacific Rim after coming up short in previous years as they tried to land Yoshinobu Yamamoto and Roki Sasaki.

There could be an issue with where he fits on the roster though. Okamoto owns third base and Santander's contract clogs left field, which is exactly why TSN baseball analyst Steve Phillips says there is no natural spot for Sato in Toronto. But after a social media firestorm brewed up around Santander this past week, and the fact that he's been mostly injured for the first two years of his five year deal, landing Sato could be another way the Blue Jays push Santander closer towards an exit out of Toronto.

3. Seiya Suzuki, OF - Comparable to Anthony Santander

Speaking of Santander, it was a bit of a risk to sign him in the first place, but the upside potential was huge. That's what we have here with the Suzuki comparison.

The 32-year-old hit 270/.368/.473 with 26 home runs and 86 RBI in 143 games for the Cubs, and he has posted a 125 to 135 OPS+ in every major league season, averaging 29 home runs and 95 RBI over the last two. But can he replicate those numbers once he gets to Toronto? And at 32, has he already hit his peak?

But unlike Santander, Suzuki isn't an injury risk and he is much more reliable in the outfield. He also received a qualifying offer, so signing him will cost draft-pick compensation but if they can add Suzuki and get 20+ home runs, a .360+ OBP and a defender who doesn't make every play an adventure, the five-year $120 million will be worth every penny.

4. Kaima Taira, RHP - Comparable to Cody Ponce

Another Asian import player. The 26-year-old Taira went 12-5 with a 1.36 ERA that lead the NPB this past season. He also posted a 0.96 WHIP and 141 strikeouts in 145 innings as a starter. The year before he posted a 1.71 ERA and saved 31 games as the team's closer.

Five-years and $72.5 million, as projected by Kiley McDaniel of ESPN, seems fairly reasonable, depending on what role he's going to play in Toronto. Similar to Ponce, who came to the Blue Jays on a three-year, $30 million deal, Taira has some flexibility with how he can be used. His upside is what makes him intriguing and it wouldn't be surprising for the Blue Jays to try and land multiple players from overseas again this winter.

5. Alex Vesia, LHP - Comparable to Tyler Rogers, Jeff Hoffman

Over the last two offseasons, Atkins has made a significant investment into his bullpen from the free agent market. In 2025 he brought in Jeff Hoffman on a three-year, $33 million deal. In 2026 it was Tyler Rogers coming to Toronto for three-years and $37 million.

With lefty Vesia projected to earn a two-year, $22 million contract (projected by The Athletic), Vesia just seems like the kind of guy Atkins wants pitching out of Toronto's bullpen next year. He gives them some more left-handed depth and his 11.48 K/9 rate over 58 innings would've led the Blue Jays' qualified relievers.

This is the kind of offseason that Atkins typically chases. How many of these guys he does sign will be a true test as they will be heavily sought after in what is considered a weaker free agent class.

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