Blue Jays players that could be entering their final season in Toronto
Photo credit: John E. Sokolowski-Imagn Images
Toronto Blue Jays executives may find themselves even busier next offseason than they were this past winter.
Ross Atkins and the front office were highly active, bringing in notable additions such as Dylan Cease, Cody Ponce, Tyler Rogers, and Kazuma Okamoto.
Toronto also pursued several high-profile targets - most notably Kyle Tucker - though those efforts ultimately came up short.
Looking ahead, however, the 2026 offseason could be when truly significant roster decisions are made.
Several key Blue Jays are set to enter the final year of their contracts, forcing management to weigh extensions against potential replacements through free agency.
Below is a look at Toronto players who will be playing the final season of their current deals.
Expiring contracts
It may come as a surprise, but the 2026 campaign will be the final year of the five-year, $110 million contract Kevin Gausman signed with Toronto.
The deal has proven to be a win for both sides.
Even as he advances in age, Gausman has remained a dependable and effective presence at the top of the rotation.
If he continues to perform at a high level in 2026, the Blue Jays could explore a short-term extension with the two-time All-Star.
Following a nightmare 2024 season, many believed George Springer's best days were behind him.
He silenced those doubts in spectacular fashion in 2025, delivering one of the strongest seasons of his career, highlighted by a legendary home run against the Seattle Mariners in Game 7 of the ALCS.
That said, expectations should remain realistic. At 36 years old, Springer has logged plenty of mileage, and sustaining that level of offensive production may prove challenging moving forward.
Shane Bieber stunned the baseball world early in the offseason by opting into the final year of his contract.
The decision was welcomed by Blue Jays fans, who are eager to see whether the former Cy Young winner can return to form after throwing just 52.1 regular-season innings over the last two seasons.
How Bieber holds up over a full year following Tommy John surgery remains an open question.
Still, his solid postseason performances provided a glimpse of his upside and gave fans legitimate reason for optimism heading into 2026.
Fans who jumped aboard during Toronto's recent World Series run may not fully appreciate Yimi Garcia's impact.
The veteran reliever underwent elbow surgery in late August to remove scar tissue, sidelining him for the stretch run.
Had he been healthy, Garcia likely would have played a major role during the playoffs.
If he returns to form in 2026, newer fans will quickly understand why he has long been such a valuable bullpen piece.
Arbitration cases
It's hard to believe that less than three years ago, the Oakland Athletics moved on from Ernie Clement.
Toronto has benefited greatly from that decision, as the 29-year-old has developed into an important contributor.
Clement cemented his place in Blue Jays lore with a remarkable postseason performance, hitting .411 across 73 plate appearances.
While those numbers are unlikely to be repeated, his playoff heroics have made him a fan favorite heading into the final year of his contract.
Injuries limited Daulton Varsho's availability in 2025, but when he was on the field, he was electric.
Along with maintaining Gold Glove-caliber defense, Varsho launched an impressive 20 home runs in just 71 games.
Since arriving from the Arizona Diamondbacks prior to the 2023 season, Varsho has established himself as one of the league's premier defenders while adding legitimate power.
If he stays healthy and continues to produce offensively, a contract extension could be in his future.
After grinding to remain in the majors for several seasons, Tyler Heineman secured a backup catching role with Toronto in 2025, and made the most of his opportunities.
Given his age, the Blue Jays may ultimately choose to move on from the 34-year-old catcher.
Still, another strong season in 2026 could prompt the organization to reconsider his role moving forward.
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| POLL | ||
JANVIER 28|52 ANSWERS Blue Jays players that could be entering their final season in Toronto Do you think the Blue Jays will bring all these player back next season? | ||
| Yes | 16 | 30.8 % |
| No | 24 | 46.2 % |
| Too early to tell | 12 | 23.1 % |
| List of polls | ||