Blue Jays: MLB Trade Rumors release 2026 arbitration projections

Although the Toronto Blue Jays remain in the postseason, the off-season has begun for several other teams.

With the beginning of the off-season comes MLB Trade Rumors’ annual arbitration projections. This off-season, the Blue Jays have seven players eligible for arbitration. Below is the list of players, as well as how much they’re expected to make. Keep in mind, this isn’t factoring in how they perform for the remainder of the playoffs.

Daulton Varsho – $9.7 million

Eric Lauer – $4.4 million

Ernie Clement – $4.3 million

Nick Sandlin – $2 million

Dillon Tate – $1.7 million

Tyler Heineman – $1 million

Ryan Burr – $800,000

Simply put, Varsho should be signed to a long-term extension as soon as possible. This season, he slashed .238/.284/.548 with 20 home runs in 271 plate appearances for a 123 wRC+, on top of spectacular defence in centre field. Right from the start of Spring Training, Varsho looked different, and he’s continued his success into the postseason. He’ll become a free agent at the end of the 2026 season.

Clement is another player the Jays should consider giving an extension to. The utility infielder went from a minor-league signee to a key piece to the Jays’ success in 2025. In the regular season, he slashed .277/.313/.398 with nine home runs in 588 plate appearances, but featured strong defence at both second and third base.

The question heading into this season was whether a catching tandem of Alejandro Kirk and Heineman would be successful. Heineman’s numbers speak for themself, as he slashed .289/.361/.416 with three home runs in 174 plate appearances with above-average defence around the plate.

As for the pitchers, both Sandlin and Burr will remain on the team. Sandlin pitched well when healthy, while Burr pitched just two innings in two outings, a sad end to his season. There’s a fair argument to Lauer being the saviour of the season, as he pitched fantastically out of the rotation, but struggled once the Jays went to a six-man rotation after acquiring Shane Bieber. While the Jays may look to retain his services, $4.4 million is quite a bit.

Lastly, Tate was non-tendered during last year’s off-season, and it won’t be a surprise if the Jays make the same decision this year.