Ranking the 6 Blue Jays free agents by who Toronto would want back the most

This offseason, the Toronto Blue Jays have some key players from their 2025 roster heading into free agency. Whether they were role players or elite stars on the team, each and every one of them made an impact on the successful season and postseason run that the Blue Jays had this past year.

However, not all of them will likely be back for another go-around in 2026, whether due to need or potential financial hurdles. As a result, Toronto will need to be selective in who they want to retain.

Ranking the 6 Blue Jays free agents by who Toronto would want back the most

#6 Isiah Kiner-Falefa

Despite his second go-around with Toronto not being as impactful and impressive as his first in 2024, Kiner-Falefa was nevertheless looked upon frequently by Jays manager John Schneider to come off the bench down the stretch and into the playoffs. Given the prime opportunity, Kiner-Falefa didn’t manage to take full advantage of it as he batted just .233 with a .625 OPS while recording one home run and five RBIs in 31 total plate appearances over 19 games of action.

He ended up struggling even more during the postseason, amassing a dismal .162 average with just four runs scored and two RBIs in 40 plate appearances over 15 playoff games. As a result, it will be hard to justify rostering Kiner-Falefa just for his defense on a ballclub that flourishes with role players contributing both offensively and defensively at the same time.

Want back rating: 1/10

#5 Ty France

France appeared to be the throw in during a trade deadline deal with the Twins that brought him and Louis Varland to Toronto. After all, just based on usage, Varland almost ended up playing in every single postseason game for Toronto, while France was utilized sparingly both during the regular season and in the playoffs when all was said and done.

In the end, the veteran slugger accumulated just a .693 OPS with one home run and eight RBIs in 37 games played for the Jays while being deployed negligibly during the World Series. However, one thing that could still attract the Blue Jays a little is the fact that France wonhis first ever Gold Glove in 2025, proving that he could still potentially provide some value defensively backing up Vladimir Guerrero Jr. at first base.

Want back rating: 2/10

#4 Max Scherzer 

Despite enduring more injury woes to start the year with his new ballclub, Scherzer came back with a vengeance for the second half of the season. The 41-year-old legend managed to solidify five wins for the Blue Jays during the regular season while going 1-0 with a steady 3.77 ERA and 11 strikeouts in 14.1 innings over three strong starts during the postseason. 

However, Scherzer did appear to run out of steam towards the end of the regular season, as he was constantly lit up by the long ball in the process. But for the future Hall of Famer, he totally believes he isn’t done yet. Scherzer adored his time with Toronto so much that he definitely wants to be back, but will Ross Atkins make it happen with plenty of other solid options available in the free agent market?

Want back rating: 3/10

#3 Seranthony Domínguez 

Part of the Jays’ success in 2025 could be attributed to their totally revamped bullpen after a disappointing 2024 campaign. Domínguez became a part of that transition when he was brought over from the Baltimore Orioles at the trade deadline. For a Jays’ relief corps that lacked some firepower after Jeff Hoffman, Domínguez instantly provided that boost for the team down the stretch.

Despite a little stumble coming out of the gate after joining the Blue Jays at the end of July, he would finish off the regular season giving up only two earned runs in his final 19 relief appearances for Toronto for a stellar 1.06 ERA while averaging more than a strikeout per inning.

Domínguez continued his excellence during the playoffs, giving up only four earned runs all postseason. Toronto would like to have him back, but Domínguez is likely in line for a hefty raise this coming offseason, according to Spotrac. Since the numbers will be significantly more than the $3.625 million AAV that he had last year, it will come down to whether the price tag will end up meeting what the Blue Jays can offer.

Want back rating: 5/10

#2 Chris Bassitt

Bassitt delivered another Bassitt-type season again for the Jays in 2025 providing them with valuable wins, innings and strikeouts to contribute to their successful bounce back campaign. In 32 outings, the veteran right-hander went 11-9 with a 3.96 ERA, 1.33 WHIP, together with 166 strikeouts in 170.1 innings of work. 

More importantly, despite suffering an ill-timed injury towards the end of the regular season. Bassitt came back as a bonafide reliever during the playoffs to help provide the much-needed stability and veteran presence for their bullpen when things went a bit astray. Bassitt himself indicated that he loved this Blue Jays group and hopes he has another chance with them to go on another run.

Want back rating: 7/10

#1 Bo Bichette 

Without a doubt, the focus of the Blue Jays offseason should be looking for an impact bat to help sustain their elite offense. What better way to do so than to bring back one of the top hitters in the league iBichette. After all, this generation of Blue Jays fans have grown up with the likes of Bichette and Guerrero as the faces of the franchise.

Yes, the Jays may have the pieces to fill in for Bichette if he doesn’t end up coming back with Ernie Clement and Andrés Giménez to take over the position. But in no way will their offensive output ever come close to what Bichette could provide on a yearly basis for the Blue Jays. He is a proven elite clutch hitter that can pound out hits, home runs and RBIs while giving his all at the same time, as we witnessed from his valiant play while injured during the World Series.

The Blue Jays should do all they can to make sure that Bichette gets locked up for so long that he'll eventually retire as a Blue Jay.

Want back rating: 10/10