Extending George Springer past 2026 should be on Toronto Blue Jays to-do list
Photo credit: Nick Turchiaro-Imagn Images
George Springer is set to play out the final season of his contract with the Toronto Blue Jays in 2026, and it will likely be his last without an upcoming extension this winter.
One year removed from the worst season of his career, George Springer's resurgent 2025 earned him a Silver Slugger Award.
Springer authored one of the most surprising comeback seasons in recent memory in 2025, slugging 32 home runs with a .959 OPS in his age-35 season.
Both his .309 batting average and .399 on-base percentage were the highest marks of his 12-year career.
He also delivered his signature moment as a Blue Jay with his epic go-ahead, three-run home run in Game 7 of the ALCS against the Seattle Mariners.
«I'm just happy I could come through in that moment,» he said. «But I think what gets lost in that whole moment is that if it wasn't for the bats before me, it doesn't happen. Guys got on base we did what we needed to do as a team in that moment That was a very big team moment for us, and we did it our way by getting a guy on, and getting a guy in.»
The Blue Jays enjoyed its first return to the Fall Classic in 32 years, and Springer who joined the Blue Jays in 2021, praised the team's «special» bond on-and-off the field this season.
«We just talk all the time whether I'm on the phone with Daulton (Varsho) or something it's a very close-knit group,» the designated hitter and outfielder said. «I think that's one of the things about our team that was special. To still have these conversations, to still talk to each other as if we're going to be at the field tomorrow it shows us how close everybody is.»
Should the Blue Jays extend Springer past the 2026 season?
2026 is the final season of Springer's contract with the Blue Jays. He had his best season since 2019 with the Houston Astros.
Springer wouldn't be the first designated hitter to defy father time with another strong campaign in 2026, David Ortiz hit 38 home runs for the Boston Red Sox as a 40-year-old in 2015. He could very well have a few more good years in the tank.
Springer by month in 2025:
- April: .306/.406/.482 with 2 home runs, 15 walks and 24 strikeouts in 28 games.
- May: .209/.343/.477 with 6 home runs, 16 walks and 25 strikeouts in 26 games.
- June: .274/.330/.417 with 3 home runs, 8 walks and 13 strikeouts in 24 games.
- July: .371/.451/.640 with 7 home runs, 12 walks and 14 strikeouts in 23 games.
- August: .357/.438/.714 with 6 home runs, 4 walks and 10 strikeouts in 14 games.
- September: .347/.434/.663 with 8 home runs, 14 walks and 25 strikeouts in 25 games.
- May: .209/.343/.477 with 6 home runs, 16 walks and 25 strikeouts in 26 games.
- June: .274/.330/.417 with 3 home runs, 8 walks and 13 strikeouts in 24 games.
- July: .371/.451/.640 with 7 home runs, 12 walks and 14 strikeouts in 23 games.
- August: .357/.438/.714 with 6 home runs, 4 walks and 10 strikeouts in 14 games.
- September: .347/.434/.663 with 8 home runs, 14 walks and 25 strikeouts in 25 games.
A career outfielder, Springer started only 51 games in the field this season compared to 80 at DH, or what he preferred to describe as the "offensive player," noting his contributions on the bases, including 18 steals.
Career World Series OPS (minimum 50 at-bats)
George Springer 1.295
Lou Gehrig 1.214
Babe Ruth 1.214
Reggie Jackson 1.212
George Springer 1.295
Lou Gehrig 1.214
Babe Ruth 1.214
Reggie Jackson 1.212
Springer said he hasn't thought much about how Game 7 of the World Series ended.
«It is what it is. You have to move forward. You can learn from everything and it's on to 2026,» he said.
But after five seasons in Toronto and two other postseason trips that ended in early losses (in 2022 and 2023), Springer said he loved seeing how the city was overcome with Blue Jays fever.
Should the Blue Jays extend Springer past the 2026 season?
Have your say in the poll below.
| POLL | ||
DECEMBRE 17 | 71 ANSWERS Extending George Springer past 2026 should be on Toronto Blue Jays to-do list Should the Blue Jays extend Springer past the 2026 season? | ||
| Yes | 49 | 69 % |
| No | 22 | 31 % |
| List of polls | ||