Skip to main content
Jays Journal
FanSided

Selecting one free agent from every American League team the Blue Jays could target

Finding the best fits from Toronto's AL counterparts.
ByDavid Cho
Share on FacebookShare on XShare on Reddit
Google Discover
Sep 9, 2026; Bronx, New York, USA; New York Yankees second baseman Jazz Chisholm Jr. (13) looks on during the eighth inning against the Colorado Rockies at Yankee Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Vincent Carchietta-Imagn Images
Sep 9, 2026; Bronx, New York, USA; New York Yankees second baseman Jazz Chisholm Jr. (13) looks on during the eighth inning against the Colorado Rockies at Yankee Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Vincent Carchietta-Imagn Images | IMAGN IMAGES via Reuters Connect

There could be lots of transactions happening before the CBA expires on December 1. The last the time CBA was set to expire in 2021, top free agents such as Marcus Semien, Corey Seager, and Max Scherzer, all signed before the expiration.

The offseason is not just about making your team better, but in a lateral way, making teams around you worse by taking good players out of their systems. The Toronto Blue Jays can do that by targeting these free agents from American League clubs.

Blue Jays could target these free agents from AL clubs

Athletics: Mark Leiter Jr.

The Athletics do not have a lot pending free agents this offseason but one name that is available is Mark Leiter Jr. Although a 4.28 ERA and 1.31 WHIP does not jump off the page, his 2.25 ERA on the road compared to to 6.11 at home suggests his numbers were inflated by pitching in the bandbox known as Sutter Health Park.

Baltimore Orioles: Trevor Rogers

Rogers is one of the best starters available on the market. Although he did not replicate his 2025 success, he still had a solid season with a 4.03 ERA and 1.18 WHIP over 169.2 innings and 157 strikeouts. Since joining the Orioles in 2024, the soon-to-be 29 year old has posted a 3.41 ERA and 3.31 FIP.

Boston Red Sox: Sonny Gray

Gray is the Red Sox best free agent. There are signs for concerns with Gray: his 21.8% strikeout rate was his lowest since 2018, but he stranded runners at a career-high 83.2%. Despite a 2.72 ERA, he had a 3.47 FIP which means there is some regression expected.

Chicago White Sox: Sean Newcomb

Newcomb has been mentioned in the past as someone the Blue Jays should target. He would be a good complement to Mason Fluharty and has shown versatility that would allow John Schneider to fully maximize his bullpen.

Cleveland Guardians: Foster Griffin

After overperforming his underlying numbers with the Nationals, Griffin proceeded to do the opposite following a trade to the Guardians. Despite a 5.19 ERA with the Guardians, his 3.54 FIP and .381 BABIP indicates that he was unlucky.

Detroit Tigers: Gleyber Torres

Despite below average batted ball metrics, Torres has elite plate discipline and can draw walks. In an injury-shortened 2026, the 29 year old hit .260/.364/.363 with only eight home runs. Torres would most likely take a one-year deal.

Houston Astros: Bryan Abreu

Abreu represents a good buy-low opportunity for the Blue Jays. There are some signs for concern as he had a 4.62 FIP compared to a 3.73 ERA, walked batters at a career-worst 15.3% and lost 1.5 mph on his fastball. He should still be capable of rediscovering his velocity and his dominant form.

Kansas City Royals: John Means

It says a lot about the other options when the player who has missed the last five seasons due to various injuries is the top target. In his last healthy season in 2021, Means had a 3.62 ERA with a 1.03 WHIP in 146.2 innings. In five rehab outings with the Royals, he recorded a 3.77 ERA and 1.19 WHIP. It is hard to predict how Means looks, but an incentive-laden deal would probably be enough to sign the 33 year old.

Los Angeles Angels: Robert Stephenson

Stephenson missed all of 2024 after underdoing Tommy John, most of 2025 with a biceps issue and all of 2026 with flexor tendon surgery. The Angels declined his option for 2027 making him a free agent but he could also be a good buy-low candidate for Toronto's deep bullpen.

Minnesota Twins: AJ Minter

Although Josh Bell is an intriguing DH candidate, the Blue Jays would be better off keeping that spot open. Minter could be another lefty option in the bullpen. Despite a 2.56 ERA, Minter's 4.46 FIP and .244 BABIP indicates that luck was on his side in 2026.

New York Yankees: Jazz Chisholm Jr.

Chisholm could be the everyday second baseman, allowing Ernie Clement to slide back into his natural utility role. In 2025, he slashed .242/.332/.481 with a career-high 31 home runs. He was not able to carry that into 2026, hitting .231/.312/.399 with 19 home runs. Whether he's worth the drama is a also part of the equation though.

Seattle Mariners: Taylor Ward

Randy Arozarena is another popular name fans want to see sign with the Blue Jays, but should they miss out there, Taylor Ward is also available. After hitting a career-high 36 home runs in 2025, he managed only seven in 2026. He became ultra-passive at the plate, resulting in a career-best 16.3% walk rate. If he can re-discover his in-zone aggression, Ward would be one of the most valuable bounceback candidates.

Tampa Bay Rays: Freddy Peralta

After struggling to a 4.99 ERA with the Mets, Peralta looked much better with a 3.25 ERA following a deadline trade to the Rays. He also posted a 2.95 ERA during the playoffs and was named ALCS MVP.

Texas Rangers: Joc Pederson

Pederson struggled mightily in 2025 as he posted a 77 wRC+, but bounced back in a big way with a 128 wRC+ in 2026. At 34 years old, Pederson is still capable of hitting the ball hard and has become a more patient hitter since leaving the Dodgers in 2021. In a strict platoon role he could rake for the Blue Jays with his career .826 OPS vs right-handers.

Add us as a preferred source on Google