Ranking the impact of the Blue Jays' major offseason trades and signings 

The Toronto Blue Jays did some major work this 2025-26 MLB offseason in revamping the team for another shot at the World Series title this coming year. Whether it be by trades or by key signings in free agency, the Blue Jays hope to improve on their hitting and pitching with the new acquisitions made by general manager Ross Atkins.

So what impact could Toronto’s moves this past winter have for the upcoming 2026 season and beyond? Here, we rank the Blue Jays major offseason trades and signings based on their potential impact on the organization as a whole.

Ranking the Blue Jays major offseason trades and signings 

#6 The Blue Jays trade for reliever Chase Lee 

Early in the offseason, the Blue Jays made a trade with the Detroit Tigers that landed them reliever Chase Lee in exchange for minor league pitcher Johan Simon. Lee had posted a 4-1 record with a 4.10 ERA, 1.10 WHIP, together with nine walks and 36 strikeouts in 37.1 innings over 32 relief appearances in his debut season for the Tigers in 2025.

The 27-year-old right-hander will likely service as a depth bullpen piece for the Blue Jays while he competes for a spot on the Opening Day roster.

#5 The Blue Jays sign pitcher Cody Ponce to a three-year contract

The Blue Jays dipped their toes in the overseas market to recruit KBO MVP Cody Ponce. Ponce had a successful 2025 campaign with the Hanwha Eagles, compiling a stellar 17-1 record with a 1.89 ERA, 0.94 WHIP, along with 252 strikeouts in 180.2 innings pitched over 29 starts.

However, the 31-year-old right-hander did record a dismal 1-7 record with a 5.86 ERA and 1.54 WHIP the last time he pitched in the majors with the Pittsburgh Pirates between 2020 and 2021. Blue Jays fans should temper their expectations for Ponce, but if manages to carry over his KBO success much like how Eric Lauer did with the Blue Jays last year, his impact could increase substantially over the course of the season.

#4 The Blue Jays trade for outfielder Jesús Sánchez 

When the Blue Jays learned that they would lose slugger Anthony Santander for the bulk, if not all of the 2026 season due to a shoulder injury, it suddenly left a huge void in their offensive attack for the upcoming year. Atkins quickly nabbed Jesús Sánchez from the Houston Astros in a trade that sent promising outfielder Joey Loperfido the other way to help make up for some of that lost power production.

Sánchez has registered double digits in home runs in each of his last five seasons mainly as a platoon player. However, because of his ongoing struggles against left-handed pitching, his overall impact could be limited to just his explosiveness when facing righties as the Blue Jays will likely keep him in that platoon role. But if Sánchez can somehow unlock his hitting potential against southpaws in Toronto, then watch out!

#3 The Blue Jays sign reliever Tyler Rogers to a three-year contract

With the Blue Jays looking for a reliable, veteran reliever to help stabilize their bullpen, Tyler Rogers fits the bill exactly for Toronto. Rogers may not be the strikeout machine that most teams covet, but he has certainly been one of the most effective and durable pitchers in the entire league during the past five seasons.

Since 2021, the 35-year-old right-hander has posted a 21-20 record, with 16 saves a 2.71 ERA and 1.09 WHIP, while limiting opposing hitters to 26 home runs and 68 walks in over 378.1 innings of work in 374 total appearances. More importantly, Rogers has pitched in at least 68 games each year during without losing any effectiveness. In fact, he appears to be getting even better with age, as he is coming off one of his best seasons in the majors in 2025.

#2 The Blue Jays sign Japanese star Kazuma Okamoto to a four-year contract

As one of the major offseason acquisitions by the Blue Jays to bolster their offense, a lot will be riding on the shoulders of Kazuma Okamoto this upcoming season. With the departure of Bo Bichette in free agency this winter, Toronto will need Okamoto to help make up for some of the elite offensive numbers that Bichette provided.

The 29-year-old Japanese star has shown to be a hitting juggernaut during his time in Nippon Professional Baseball in Japan, averaging over 30 home runs and 90 RBIs while batting above .270 in seven of his past eight seasons. So if Okamoto can translate that success to the MLB in North America, the Blue Jays could have the next Hideki Matsui on their hands. 

#1 The Blue Jays sign pitcher Dylan Cease to a massive seven-year contract

Finally, it makes total sense that their biggest investment this offseason in Dylan Cease should have the biggest impact on the Blue Jays going forward. Having been handed ace-like money with his hefty $210 million contract, Cease is expected to lead Toronto for the next seven years.

The 30-year-old right-hander has finished twice in the top four in Cy Young voting previously, while posting a career 3.88 ERA with 1231 strikeouts in 1015.1 total innings pitched. With Shane Bieber unlikely to be ready for the start of the regular season and Kevin Gausman heading into his final year of his Blue Jays contract and possibly his MLB career, Toronto will need Cease to find consistency in his game in 2026.