Ranking the Blue Jays’ biggest contracts handed out by GM Ross Atkins

Since Ross Atkins has taken over the Toronto Blue Jays general manager position over a decade ago, he has managed to give out some of the biggest contracts in franchise history. In doing so, Atkins had been able to secure some massive talent to play for the Blue Jays.

His latest signing just so happens to be the biggest, a $210 million contract that he used to land star free agent right-hander Dylan Cease just this past week. Time will tell whether that deal ends up being a good one or not for Toronto, but in the meantime, here are six other big money deals that Atkins has handed out, ranked on their overall value and impact.

Ranking the Blue Jays’ biggest contracts handed out by Ross Atkins

#6 Anthony Santander – five years, $92.5 million 

This was the Blue Jays’ biggest splash during the 2024-25 offseason. Unfortunately, Anthony Santander had a disappointing first year with his new club. Not only did he post career lows in batting average (.175) and slugging percentage (.294), injury woes ended up limiting the 31-year-old slugger to just six home runs and 18 RBIs worth of offensive production over 54 games played during the regular season.

It also didn’t help that when the team needed him most during the MLB Playoffs, Santander only appeared in five games before he was hit with the injury bug again that ultimately put him out for the rest of the postseason.

With the disastrous 2025 season behind him, things can only go up from here, hopefully. With a clean bill of health heading into next year, Santander should be able to rediscover his offensive prowess. Otherwise, this huge contract could turn out to be one of the biggest busts in franchise history.

#6 Hyun Jin Ryu – four years, $80 million

With the Blue Jays looking to get back into contention, Atkins helped the team secure an ace during the 2019-2020 offseason. He brought in starter Hyun Jin Ryu on a four-year deal and he delivered the goods in his first season with Toronto, pitching to a 5-2 record with a 2.69 ERA, 1.15 WHIP, allowing just six home runs while recording 72 strikeouts in 67 innings pitched over 12 starts during the COVID shortened 2020 season.

Ryu and the Blue Jays reached the postseason for the first time in over four years that year and Ryu even finished as a Cy Young finalist. However, Ryu’s subsequent seasons in Toronto wasn’t as rosy as he struggled with consistency, and underwent Tommy John surgery that put him out of action for more than a year between 2022 to 2023.

Nevertheless, he still finished with a respectable 24-15 record, 3.97 ERA and 1.23 WHIP over 60 starts in his four years with the club.