Jose Berrios trade improbable, Blue Jays likely done with major moves
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The Toronto Blue Jays will likely carry six starters in 2026 and veteran Jose Berrios will be fighting for that sixth spot.
The last public update from Jose Berrios came three weeks ago during an appearance on MLB Network, where he discussed representing Puerto Rico in the World Baseball Classic and emphasized that he would arrive at Spring Training healthy and ready to compete.
As he has throughout his career, Berrios is expected to follow his usual buildup in camp.
If Toronto reaches late March with six healthy starters, that's when difficult decisions, and potentially uncomfortable conversations will begin.
Berrios was clearly not happy with how his 2025 season ended.
A stint on the injured list due to right elbow inflammation, the first IL stint of his 10-year MLB career, ultimately left him off the Blue Jays' postseason roster.
Recently, MLB.com's Keegan Matheson pushed back on the idea that Toronto should trade Berrios simply for the sake of moving his contract.
«The Blue Jays still have time on their side here, meaning time to see if Berrios' right arm bounces back,» Matheson wrote on January 24, 2026. «They are not at all eager to trade their own prospects to facilitate salary-dump trades, so any deal would need to make baseball sense. Right now, it makes baseball sense to see how Spring Training feels and go from there.»
While it's rare for a team to rely on only five starters for an entire season, the Blue Jays currently have more rotation-ready arms than available spots - a problem most organizations would welcome.
Berrios is owed $19 million in 2026 and holds an opt-out following the season, though he could choose to opt in for the 2027-28 years of his deal.
Blue Jays likely done making any big moves ahead of Spring Training
Meanwhile, Mitch Bannon of The Athletic reported that Toronto is likely finished making major offseason moves.
«Another major move appears unlikely for the Jays,» Bannon wrote on January 20, 2026. «However, they've surprised before. Toronto's pitching staff appears essentially set. The Jays also project to have at least a two-win player (a solid starter or better) at every offensive position except left field.»
As things stand, any addition in left field would need to represent a clear upgrade rather than a sideways move.
If the Blue Jays decide to address that position, the incoming player would need to outperform current options Anthony Santander and Nathan Lukes.
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| POLL | ||
JANVIER 25|102 ANSWERS Jose Berrios trade improbable, Blue Jays likely done with major moves Should the Toronto Blue Jays give Jose Berrios another shot in the rotation or should they trade him? | ||
| Yes, give him another shot | 62 | 60.8 % |
| No, Trade him | 24 | 23.5 % |
| Move him to the bullpen | 16 | 15.7 % |
| List of polls | ||