The Toronto Blue Jays have several offseason needs they must address before they can take the next step. If the Blue Jays want to get back to the World Series, they will need to make some significant moves this offseason.
Toronto struggled to stay on track amid numerous injuries in 2026. One of the biggest needs this offseason is finding a replacement for George Springer, especially with comments hinting retirement could happen this offseason.
“Very, very grateful to our fans, this team, this organization. Obviously this is not the way that we all wanted it to end. But if it is, I’m going to do my best to embrace being back home for one last time and making sure that I do anything I can to reciprocate to the fans,” Springer said before his last home series.
Now, it is up to the Blue Jays to find another All-Star-caliber outfielder who can replace what Springer brought to the team in center field.
“It’s been a long time since the Blue Jays developed an All-Star-caliber outfielder. You’re stuck reaching for Kevin Pillar’s peak seasons, then even further for Vernon Wells, who last played for the Blue Jays in 2010. Essentially, the Blue Jays need to find their next George Springer,” MLB.com’s Keegan Matheson wrote.
Sports Illustrated’s Yirsandy Rodriguez believes two-time Gold Glove winner Trent Grisham could be a good replacement for Springer.
“Overall, Grisham finished in the 13th percentile in baserunning and the 19th in fielding, which will undoubtedly reduce his impact on the free-agent market. That said, if we focus on the role Grisham could play in Toronto, his contribution would be very different from Taylor’s and Thomas’, but he could be the full-time center fielder and, if he finds his best offensive version, there is no doubt that he should be a strong candidate to lead off in the lineup,” Rodriguez wrote.
Grisham has been a rival of Toronto for the last few years, so joining the Blue Jays would be a different experience for him. However, the organization would likely welcome him with open arms if he is the player chosen to replace Springer.
Grisham played on a $22 million contract with the Yankees this past season. After a down year, he will likely be looking to bounce back, potentially taking over as Toronto’s everyday center fielder.
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