Blue Jays Start Retooling: Straw Option Declined, Skubal Buzz and a Hunt for Outfield Bats

The Toronto Blue Jays have already started clearing room for the 2027 roster. With a potential lockout looming in early December, general manager Ross Atkins has a short window to rebuild a team that finished last in the American League East, The Canadian Press reported.

That last-place finish came one year after the Jays reached the World Series in 2025. The two biggest problems are clear. Toronto finished last in runs scored, and its rotation suffered through a series of injuries and inconsistent performances from nearly every starter.

Straw is out, for now

The first move came Monday, when the Jays declined Myles Straw's $8-million club option for 2027. Sportsnet's Shi Davidi reported that the Cleveland Guardians will cover the $1.75-million buyout.

Straw gave Toronto 2.8 wins above replacement in his first season, by Baseball Reference's count, and played in 15 post-season games during the World Series run. Both his hitting and his defence slipped in 2026. His OPS fell from .680 to .646, and his Statcast fielding run value dropped from plus-nine to plus-three.

A reunion isn't ruled out. Sportsnet's Ben Nicholson-Smith says a path back exists because the Jays need right-handed bench options. "Whatever the team decides to do, I love it here and I hope I'm back," Straw said at the end of the season.

The same day, the team cleared a 40-man roster spot. CJ Van Eyk cleared waivers and was assigned to triple-A, and Rudy Martin Jr. elected free agency.

Big names come off the books

George Springer, Max Scherzer, Yimi Garcia and Shane Bieber are now out of contract. Right-hander José Berríos chose not to opt out of the final two years of his seven-year, US$131-million deal. He is coming back from an elbow injury and is expected to return for the second half of next season.

For now, the rotation is set to be anchored by Dylan Cease, Trey Yesavage, José Soriano and Cody Ponce, who has been reinstated from the 60-day injured list after a knee injury.

The Skubal buzz

The biggest name on the market is Tarik Skubal. The left-hander is expected to set a record for a free-agent pitcher contract. Fans got excited this week when photos showed Skubal training with Blue Jays right-hander Bowden Francis in Phoenix, the Toronto Sun reported. Francis missed all of 2026 after Tommy John surgery.

Rival players often train together in the off-season, and the Sun noted that the Dodgers and Mets are considered Skubal's top two suitors. The 29-year-old won the AL Cy Young Award in 2024 and 2025 with Detroit, then was dealt to the Dodgers before this summer's trade deadline.

The Canadian Press noted that Toronto struck quickly last fall to sign Cease to a seven-year, US$210-million deal. The Jays could chase a high-profile starter again, even if it isn't their most pressing need.

Outfield bats

The greater need is offence. With Springer and Daulton Varsho no longer under contract, The Athletic's Ken Rosenthal said on Foul Territory that he expects the Jays to be "active." He named free-agent outfielders Seiya Suzuki and Randy Arozarena as fits.

"Suzuki is a natural for them," Rosenthal said. Toronto's outfield ranked 19th in OPS last season, and on its current projected outfield of Anthony Santander, Brett Bateman, Addison Barger and Nathan Lukes, he said: "It's okay. But they need more. They know they need more."

Trades are also possible. Sportsnet's Arden Zwelling has floated Cleveland outfielder Steven Kwan and Milwaukee reliever Trevor Megill as targets, Heavy reported. Megill could fill the late-inning role left by former closer Jeff Hoffman.

The calendar

The key dates are close together. The general managers' meetings run Nov. 10-12, and the owners meet Nov. 17-19. Nov. 17 is also the deadline to protect players from the Rule 5 draft and for players to answer qualifying offers. The collective bargaining agreement expires at 11:59 p.m. ET on Dec. 1. Once a lockout starts, teams cannot talk to players on their 40-man rosters.

The Sun reported that a lockout is likely to begin Dec. 2. A possible salary cap is one of the most contentious issues, and it could limit the size of a deal like Skubal's. That gives Atkins less than four weeks to make his biggest moves before the deadline.