#toronto-blue-jays

#toronto-blue-jays

Holiday bargain shoppers alert: right-hander Pete Fairbanks may not be available for much longer. Fairbanks, whose $11 million player option ($1 million buyout) was declined by the Tampa Bay Rays ahead of last month's non-tender deadline, has garnered interest from several post-season contenders this off-season, including the Toronto Blue Jays, as The Athletic's Ken Rosenthal and Katie Woo report. That should come as no surprise, considering the Blue Jays had been connected to all three of Ryan Helsley, Raisel Iglesias and Phil Maton

But when it comes to signing free agent pitchers to major league deals, there hasn't been a ton that Atkins can say he regrets. For the most part when Atkins signs a free agent pitcher to a big money contract or a long-term deal, those deals have worked out in favour of the Blue Jays. Blue Jays GM Ross Atkins has had more hits than misses with free agent pitchers

There's a strong case to extend Bieber, especially if the Blue Jays believe he can get back to his pre-injury form. In the pandemic-shortened 2020 season, Bieber had a 1.63 ERA and 2.07 FIP in 77.1 innings pitched, winning the American League Cy Young. The following two seasons, Bieber produced a 2.97 ERA and 2.92 FIP in 296.2 innings pitched, with a 27.8 K% and 5.8 BB%.

He exceeded all expectations for that contract, posting a 3.18 ERA (134 ERA+) and 1.108 WHIP across 28 appearances. The lefty stepped into the rotation early in the year when the Blue Jays desperately needed quality innings, then moved to the bullpen following the return of Max Scherzer and the acquisition of Shane Bieber. He remained in that role through the playoffs, where he threw four-and-two-thirds scoreless frames against the Los Angeles Dodgers in the 18-inning marathon that was game three of the World Series.

The Toronto Blue Jays have had their eye on Japanese talent for a long time. They are determined and poised to make an impression in that market. Sometimes, the Blue Jays need to be careful about flouting the rules in pursuit of these goals. Maybe this year though, they could land someone who is actually motivated to play on a roster like theirs.

The World Baseball Classic is just around the corner. There will be some Toronto Blue Jays players participating in the tournament that will begin in March. You have the obvious players, such as Vladimir Guerrero Jr., but some minor leaguers could factor onto their respective rosters. Not just that, some of the Blue Jays' free agents and recently released players could find their way onto a national team. Most people reading this article will likely be cheering for Team Canada. They'll be in a pool with Puerto Rico, Panama, Cuba, and Colombia, with games taking place in San Juan, Puerto Rico.

Ever since Davis Schneider's spectacular 35-game debut in 2023, he has been a fan favourite that Blue Jays fans have come to appreciate. Sure, it also helps that his trademark mustache and goggles make for a unique look that adds to his likability. Now heading into his fourth season, it remains to be seen where he fits onto a Blue Jays team that looks to run it back to the World Series in 2026.

It's been a rough couple of years for Alek Manoah. In November of 2022 the Homstead, Florida native was coming off his sophomore season in which he was a Cy Young finalist, producing a 6.0 bWAR season for a Toronto Blue Jays team that had made the postseason. Fast forward to November of 2025, and Manoah is no longer part of a major league team after he was not tendered a contract by the Atlanta Braves.

However, more surprisingly was the fact that the Blue Jays and GM Ross Atkins chose to keep two spots open on their 40-man roster for potential offseason moves, rather than to protect a couple more promising prospects from the Rule 5 Draft that will be held in December.

Tyler Heineman is projected to earn a salary of $1 million in 2026, and considering how well he played last season, he could represent the easiest decision of the offseason. 1 more Blue Jay could be on non-tender chopping block after three others have left Daulton Varsho, Eric Lauer, and Ernie Clement are "no-brainer" picks to be retained at higher salaries next season, and Heineman should be nearly as easy a call for the front office.

Considering what Lauer did for the Blue jays in 2025, it only makes sense that he'll get a raise in 2026. But even if he is set to double his earnings, it still might end up as one of the best contracts the Blue Jays could have on their payroll in 2026. Lauer made $2.3 million last season in a swing role that saw him start 15 games for the Blue Jays and pitch 13 times out of the bullpen.