Mark Shapiro on payroll, free agency: Toronto Blue Jays brass 'plan to be better' in 2026
Photo credit: Nick Turchiaro-Imagn Images
The Toronto Blue Jays had a season to remember in 2025, ending one run short of winning the club's first World Series title in 32 years.
Speaking in Toronto, president and CEO Mark Shapiro looked back, then looked forward.
Duplication isn't on the table for the Blue Jays, Shapiro says, after the team just came shy of a World Series title.
Shapiro told reporters the Blue Jays magical postseason leaves him «inspired and recommitted» as the team enters the offseason with several roster uncertainties.
«You just can't recreate something identical,» he said.You got to build off what happened, you have to plan to be better.»
The 2025 playoff run was a surprise to many Blue Jays fans, given the team finished at the bottom of its division last year.
«No one expected them to do what they did,» Shapiro said. We created new baseball fans everywhere. It was compelling and hard not to watch.»
Several key players from Toronto's playoff run are set to become free agents this offseason, including Game 7 starter Max Scherzer, pitcher Chris Bassitt, and most notably Bo Bichette, who has spent his entire career with the Blue Jays organization.
If Bo Bichette returns in free agency will he play at short or second base?
The club extended a qualifying offer to Bichette for the 2026 season. He has until Nov. 18 to accept the offer.
By extending the qualifying offer, the Blue Jays will get a draft pick in compensation if Bichette signs elsewhere in free agency.
When asked if the Blue Jays would be willing to offer Bo Bichette the shortstop position if he was «adamant» about playing there, General Manager Ross Atkins answered with a resounding "YES."
Fan-favorite Ernie Clement and Gold Glove centerfielder Daulton Varsho are also entering arbitration years.
But fans did get some good news Wednesday: pitcher Shane Bieber, a trade deadline acquisition from the Cleveland Guardians, exercised his player option for 2026 and will remain with the Blue Jays next season.
Ross Atkins on Louis Varland's potential as a starter
After the Blue Jays acquired Louis Varland at the Trade Deadline, there was some brief chatter about the potential of him returning to the starting rotation.
It's surprising to hear a new wave of this conversation, though. Yes, Louis Varland came up as a starter and knows the role well, but 101 mph with a hammer of a breaking ball out of the bullpen should be awfully hard to turn away from.
"I think he has the arsenal, the durability, the athleticism and mindset to start Atkins said, but that's something that we would want to talk to him about more. It could be something that, if he were open to it, we would want to dig into a bit further."
Atkins on this years free agent market and starting pitching
Atkins believes that Toronto has become more attractive as a destination to free agents this year due to the teams on-field success and their clubhouse culture.
«We feel that every year we try to get better, and as we improve, we hope to become more attractive,» Ross Atkins said. We do feel good about the free agent market and our starting pitching area.»
The starting-pitching market will be led by Framber Valdez, Dylan Cease and Tatsuya Imai, then there's a strong second tier including Michael King and Ranger Suarez.
Keep in mind that the Blue Jays could lose both Kevin Gausman and Shane Bieber following the 2026 season, and Jose Berrios can opt out, too. It's time for another deal like Gausman's to extend the window of this starting rotation.
The starting pitching market relative to most years, it's a little bit better, seemingly. We'll get to work on the trade front, as well, and have started that."
Atkins on expectations for Trey Yesavage and his workload going forward
Expectations will be sky-high for Trey Yesavage next year. Yesavage threw a total of 139 2/3 innings last year, which was a heavy workload for a rookie.
The Blue Jays would be wise to downshift Yesavage mid-season when the opportunity presents itself, just in case.
"I think he's in a pretty good position, workload-wise. It might be something we need to navigate a little bit if we are planning on being in the World Series again, which we are planning to do."
Mark Shapiro on the Blue Jays payroll for 2026
The Blue Jays didn't exactly lose money with that World Series run and the eye-popping TV numbers that came along with it.
Shapiro always likes to play his cards close to his chest when it comes to payroll, but now that Rogers ownership has gotten a taste of owning Canada's attention, all signs point toward the potential for a huge payroll climbing even higher.
"What is clear is that we've had an unprecedented level of support, and I don't see that support going backwards at all."
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