The Toronto Blue Jays were just outs away from winning their first World Series in three decades. Then, Miguel Rojas happened, and the Dodgers secured the result they needed in extra innings. For Los Angeles, it was business as usual. For the Blue Jays, it served as utter heartbreak, and a reminder of what's at stake this winter.
If Toronto wants to ensure they return to the Fall Classic again next season, rather than waiting another three decades, Ross Atkins needs to make the right decisions in what was always going to be a critical winter for the Jays. Atkins signed Vladimir Guerrero Jr. to a $500 million extension last spring, which helped matters, but Toronto still has seven free agents of their own to either retain or let go, not to mention talent they could add from outside the organization.
Without further ado, here's what we learned about the Blue Jays at the GM Meetings, and what it means for that list of seven free agents who could very well sign elsewhere.
For more news and rumors, check out MLB Insider Robert Murray’s work on The Baseball Insiders podcast, subscribe to The Moonshot, our weekly MLB newsletter, and join the discord to get the inside scoop during the MLB season.
Don't be surprised if Blue Jays keep one of their starting pitcher free agents around – but not both
The Toronto Blue Jays have a productive enough starting rotation, headlined by Kevin Gausman, Shane Bieber, Jose Berrios and Trey Yesavage. However, they'll want to retain one of their starters currently testing the waters in free agency.
Shane Bieber is thankfully locked in through 2026. Max Scherzer, meanwhile, is 41 years old and wants to pitch again next season. He is the baseball version of Aaron Rodgers, as the future Hall of Famer isn't ready to hang up his spikes. But would the Blue Jays be interested in a reunion?
It was great to watch Scherzer revive some of his old form in the postseason, where he had a 3.77 ERA in 14.1 innings. What he's not at this age is a workhorse, and there's a good chance Scherzer will revert back to the same pitcher who had an ERA over five in the 2025 regular season.
Chris Bassitt, who is five years younger than Scherzer and had a 2.1 WAR paired with a 3.96 ERA last season should be on the Blue Jays radar instead. Bassitt has been with the Blue Jays since 2023, and should come at an affordable enough price tag to keep around.
Prediction: The Blue Jays sign Chris Bassitt, let Max Scherzer walk in free agency.
Blue Jays bullpen is getting a revamp, which is bad news for one pitcher
The Blue Jays are expected to be among the most active teams in the relief market this winter. Per Francys Romero, the Blue Jays are interested in former Braves closer Raisel Iglesias. The Jays were also connected to Edwin Diaz at the GM Meetings.
It makes sense Atkins is chasing a more reliable relief arm than Jeff Hoffman, who struggled down the stretch of the regular season and gave up the game-tying home run to Rojas in the World Series. If there's one player who deserves the most blame for losing Game 7, it is Hoffman. While he'll return to the Blue Jays in 2026, it might not be in the same role if Toronto is able to sign Diaz or Iglesias.
That being said, this news is the worst for Seranthony Dominguez if he were hoping to return north of the border. Dominguez pitched in 24 games for the Blue Jays, posting a 3.00 ERA after being acquired by the Baltimore Orioles. Dominguez was always bound to be a rental, and Toronto's interest in more late-inning relief help is proof.
Prediction: Blue Jays sign Raisel Iglesias and let Seranthony Dominguez hit the market.
Bo Bichette rumors don't favor the Blue Jays
Bo Bichette's market is already in full swing. The Blue Jays World Series hero will be tough to retain, as much as Toronto may want to keep him around. Bichette is expected to have a litany of teams interested in him for his bat alone. If he's willing to switch positions away from shortstop – where he projects as a liability defensively long term – then he'll get a contract worthy of a player his stature. Bichette had a 3.5 WAR this season, but hasn't played in more than 135 games since the 2022 campaign. Contenders don't care, as they see Bichette for the player he can be while healthy, rather than the one who has missed at least a month of action each of the past three seasons.
Rumors about Bichette's looming departure have already started to swirl, as he's been connected to the New York Yankees, Detroit Tigers and more interested contenders. One Toronto Star columnist even claimed Bichette told those close to him he prefers to play in New York, but we're not sure how much truth there is to such a report.
It seems the Blue Jays are eyeing a coveted backup plan, as well. Toronto has been named a dark horse suitor for Kyle Tucker. Toronto has played second fiddle in the free-agent market for much of the past two years, losing out on Japanese stars like Shohei Ohtani and Roki Sasaki. Making a World Series appearance should change that. Tucker would be a welcome addition in the Jays clubhouse and an upgrade over Bichette in the lineup. It could be the big swing the Blue Jays need to actually win the Fall Classic if they're lucky enough to make another run in 2026, as painful as it may be to lose Bichette.