Blue Jays Weighing High-End Arms to Bolster Rotation
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With a rotation featuring several young arms and injuries, Toronto considers elite options like Tarik Skubal and veteran returns.
The Toronto Blue Jays are positioned as a top-spending organization capable of pursuing elite free agents regardless of cost, as MLB.com first reported. Following massive contracts for Vladimir Guerrero Jr. ($500 million) and Dylan Cease ($210 million), as well as previous pursuits of Juan Soto and Shohei Ohtani, the club is viewed as having an "anything is possible" payroll.
MLB.com reports that Tarik Skubal, a two-time Cy Young winner, is a primary target. Skubal could seek an annual salary near the record $43.3 million, surpassing the $30 million per year paid to Cease. While the Blue Jays may prefer a traditional eight-year deal for Skubal, they face stiff competition from the Mets and Dodgers.
Other high-end targets include Freddy Peralta, whose price has risen following a World Series run with the Rays. Mid-range options include Japanese righty Kaima Taira, as well as veterans Sonny Gray, Foster Griffin, Shota Imanaga, and Tyler Mahle. MLB.com notes that former Blue Jays ace Kevin Gausman is also a possibility if the team believes he still has production left in the tank.
These pursuits come as the team manages a rotation that would currently feature Dylan Cease, Trey Yesavage, José Soriano, Cody Ponce, and potentially Spencer Miles. The club is also waiting on José Berríos and Bowden Francis to return from Tommy John surgeries. While the Blue Jays have a pipeline of prospects—including Nolan Perry, Johnny King, Gage Stanifer, Jake Bloss, Danny Thompson Jr., Daniel Guerra, Chad Dallas, and John Klein—MLB.com suggests a short-term veteran could serve as a necessary bridge while pitching development continues.