Healthy Daulton Varsho poised for a career year before inevitably securing big contract next winter
Photo credit: Jonathan Dyer-Imagn Images
Pending free agent Daulton Varsho has a lot to be happy about this spring, the centerfielder is healthy, at full strength, and ready to go for the Toronto Blue Jays.
After a long recovery process, Toronto Blue Jays centerfielder Daulton Varsho is finally feeling like himself again.
Roughly a year and a half after undergoing off-season shoulder surgery, the 29-year-old outfielder no longer spends hours each day receiving treatment.
During last year's spring preparations, Varsho often spent three or more hours in the trainer's room at the team's player development complex just managing his recovery. But no more.
In Thursday's 8-5 loss against the Philadelphia Phillies, Varsho drove in three of Toronto's four runs over the fourth and fifth innings with a groundout and a two-run double. Varsho's OPS so far this Spring is an eye popping 1.147.
Daulton Varsho smoked this 2-0 meatball of a cutter for a 2 run double to deep CF. The pending free agent continues to post loud exit velocities this spring as he seems poised for a career season before he inevitably secures his bag next winter.
104.1 MPH/391 FT
104.1 MPH/391 FT
Varsho feeling better than ever but still working on arm strength
Entering this spring, Varsho is exactly where he hoped to be: healthy and able to perform at full capacity.
That's particularly important for a player whose value is heavily tied to his elite, Gold Glove-calibre defence in centre field.
Arm strength has been one area still under scrutiny after last season.
In 2025, Varsho recorded the lowest average arm strength of his career at 73.7 mph-about 10 mph lower than his 2024 mark.
However, with roughly two weeks remaining before Opening Day, he feels confident that his left shoulder continues to trend in the right direction.
Opponents occasionally took advantage of his weakened arm last year, sometimes stretching plays for an extra 90 feet as he worked to rebuild strength.
According to Baseball Savant metrics, Varsho still ranked in the 95th percentile for defensive range but only the 5th percentile for arm strength (down from the 40th percentile the year before).
If his arm strength rebounds even slightly, it would only add to an already valuable defensive profile.
But as long as Varsho continues to cover ground the way he does in centre, the Blue Jays can live with some limitations in that area.
Do you think the Blue Jays will sign Daulton Varsho to an extension in 2026 or will they let him walk into free agency?
Tell us what you think in the poll below.
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| POLL | ||
MARS 12|74 ANSWERS Healthy Daulton Varsho poised for a career year before inevitably securing big contract next winter Do you think the Blue Jays will sign Daulton Varsho to an extension in 2026 or will they let him walk into free agency? | ||
| Extension | 63 | 85.1 % |
| Walk | 11 | 14.9 % |
| List of polls | ||