The Toronto Blue Jays seemingly have more needs than anybody would have imagined entering the offseason a year ago.
After making the World Series in 2025, the Blue Jays find themselves in a position nobody expected, and the front office will be tasked with changing that this winter.
The expected lockout will create challenges, but the Blue Jays still have a chance to improve offensively, whether it takes a couple of months because of the lockout or they try to get deals done before it.
Available players include Seiya Suzuki and Ian Happ, both of whom spent the past few seasons with the Chicago Cubs.
Happ and Suzuki are both above-average players and would be great additions to a Blue Jays offense that can use all the help it can get. Bleacher Report recently noted that Toronto clearly needs a designated hitter and outfield help.
“With Addison Barger coming off a season where he played just nine games and George Springer headed for free agency and perhaps retirement, a corner outfielder and a designated hitter will both be on the offseason shopping list,” Joel Reuter wrote.
The Blue Jays have found some success in free agency over the past few years, adding players at high prices.
The ownership and front office have shown that they’re willing to spend, which is 90% of the battle more often than not.
The interesting part, however, is that the Blue Jays will have competition for both of these guys because of the lack of talent in the free-agent class. That could cause Suzuki and Happ to make more money than Toronto is willing to pay.
