2025-26 MLB Offseason Recap: Toronto Blue Jays

Toronto fans have already received a glimpse of what Ponce has up his sleeve, which is different compared to his days before going overseas. The fastball is harder, playing up to 97 MPH with above-average extension. He swapped out the changeup for a seam-shifted splitter.

As for the bullpen, the Blue Jays brought in several relievers with varying looks. Tyler Rogers, perhaps the most unique reliever in baseball, came to Toronto on a multi-year deal.

Rogers has the lowest arm angle in baseball, which makes his rather innocuous mid-80s fastball into something almost untouchable. And speaking of good fastball pitchers, Toronto also acquired reliever Chase Lee from Toronto.

While it may have been an under-the-radar move, Lee was a quality reliever when up with the Tigers last season. And while his four-seamer sits at around 89 MPH, Lee had the highest swing-and-miss rate on the four-seamer last season in Triple-A.

Minimum 100 four-seamers thrown in Triple-A.

Toronto also beefed up the lineup. Jesus Sanchez, who spent 2025 with the Marlins and Astros, is a left-handed power hitter who will look to replace Anthony Santander as an outfield option.

Kazuma Okamoto, one of the top NPB hitters over the past few years, came over to North America and joined the Blue Jays. Okamoto’s assets include power, the ability to make consistent contact, and the ability to play multiple positions.

Losses

• SP Chris Bassitt
• RP Justin Bruihl
• SS Bo Bichette
• RP Ryan Burr
• RP Seranthony Dominguez
• SP Easton Lucas
• INF Isiah Kiner-Falefa
• OF Joey Loperfido
• 1B Ty France
• RP Dillon Tate

The 2025-26 offseason also marked the end of an era in Toronto.

Bo Bichette, who came up the same year as Vladimir Guerrero Jr., went to the open market and signed with the Mets. It ended Bichette’s run in the Blue Jays’ organization, the only franchise he ever knew. Bichette was drafted by the Jays a decade ago.

While Bichette’s defense at third became somewhat of a question mark, the bat was still very much among the best when it came to shortstops. Now, the Jays will shift gears and have Andres Gimenez, a standout defender, move back to shortstop. Gimenez came up as a shortstop with the Mets in 2020.

Chris Bassitt, a workhorse starter with the Blue Jays for three seasons, signed with division rival Baltimore.

Aside from those two, midseason acquisitions Isiah Kiner-Falefa (Red Sox) and Seranthony Dominguez (White Sox) found new homes for 2026.

Joey Loperfido was sent to Houston for Jesus Sanchez.

The Blue Jays, though, didn’t lose Max Scherzer. Scherzer took a one-year deal to return to the Blue Jays, giving the future Hall of Famer another good shot at a third World Series title.

Overview

In a deep AL East, the Blue Jays remain the front-runners to win the division.

Part of that is thanks to precedent. Toronto walks in as the reigning American League champions and has a deep bench of players. Even with Anthony Santander hurt and Bichette gone, a lineup with George Springer, Vladimir Guerrero Jr., Alejandro Kirk, Daulton Varsho, and company should score runs.

The rotation is also quite deep. And, the Blue Jays may have also gotten ahead of things for 2027 and beyond. With Kevin Gausman set to re-enter the free agent pool after 2026, Dylan Cease could be the next one to step into the role as staff ace in Toronto.