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Blue Jays free agent target: Tyler Mahle

Michael Coyle — Sun, 25 Oct 2026 14:00:39 GMT

While the Toronto Blue Jays’ rotation appears to be mostly set heading into the 2027 season, the 2026 campaign showed just how unpredictable the sport really is.

The Blue Jays’ rotation was ravaged by injuries this past season, and as they try to put their disappointing 79-83 record behind them, they will surely look to free agency to further strengthen a group that currently consists of Dylan Cease, José Soriano, Trey Yesavage, and Cody Ponce.

An arm the Blue Jays could look to add is right-hander Tyler Mahle. Mahle is set to be a free agent for the second consecutive winter, and could be looking to secure a longer-term deal after only getting a one-year pact from the San Francisco Giants on January 5.

For the season, Mahle made 27 starts and went 7-10 with a 3.99 ERA and a 1.23 WHIP. The 32-year-old struck out 137 batters across 149 innings and was hit at a .248 clip. While these numbers don’t jump off the page, following a midseason trade to the Atlanta Braves on August 2, Mahle became one of the most dominant arms in the major leagues.

At the time of the trade, Mahle had made 18 starts and was 3-9 with a 5.13 ERA and a 1.38 WHIP. Mahle joined the Braves as they hunted down the National League East title, and across nine starts, he went 4-1 with a 1.99 ERA and 0.96 WHIP. Mahle dropped his opponents’ average from .265 to .216, in what was the best stretch of his 10-year career.

In the postseason, Mahle continued his late-season dominance. Mahle was tasked with Game 2 of the Wild Card series against the Philadelphia Phillies and turned in a pitching line of 7.0 IP, 6 H, 1 R, 1 ER, 1 BB, 6 K, picking up a no-decision.

Mahle’s second start came in Game 4 of the NLDS, and even though he was charged with the loss, the righty once again impressed. Mahle limited the Los Angeles Dodgers to two runs (one earned) on three hits and two walks, while also striking out four to give him a 1.35 ERA across his two playoff outings.

Upon joining the Braves, Mahle went from being a five-pitch pitcher to mostly using just two. Mahle used his four-seam and splitter a combined 78 per cent of the time, an approach similar to what former Blue Jay Kevin Gausman displayed during his four-and-a-half seasons in Toronto.

After earning $10 million on his most recent contract, Mahle could be looking for a deal similar to the one Ponce signed in Toronto. Ponce was given a three-year, $30-million deal, and while Mahle’s annual average value could surpass that, a two-year deal could be of interest to both parties.

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Shane Bieber had his moments but 2026 was largely derailed by injuries

Michael Coyle — Sun, 25 Oct 2026 11:00:13 GMT

In a season mired by injuries, Shane Bieber was one of the Toronto Blue Jays who was hit the hardest.

After opting into his $16-million player option following the World Series, Bieber was expected to solidify a role behind Kevin Gausman, and ultimately behind Dylan Cease following his signing.

How the year went

On February 10, in one of the first days of spring training, manager John Schneider announced while speaking to the media that Bieber would be delayed to begin camp, due to right forearm inflammation that had been bugging him since the 2025 World Series.

While this news was unfortunate, it wasn’t totally shocking as Bieber spent much of the 2024 and 2025 campaigns working his way back from his second Tommy John surgery, so a little bit of wear and tear can be expected, especially following 59 innings pitched from August 22 on.

After not pitching all spring, Bieber was placed on the 15-day injured list on March 25 with right elbow inflammation. Outside of being shifted from the 15-day IL to the 60-day IL on April 13, everything remained very quiet on Bieber’s return to play progression.

Finally, on May 25, Bieber made his first rehab appearance of the year in the FCL. Bieber made a second one with Single-A Dunedin, before he was transferred to Triple-A Buffalo on June 6.

After three rehab outings with the Bisons, Bieber was activated from the 60-day IL on June 23 for a start against the Houston Astros. The 31-year-old turned in a pitching line of 3.2 IP, 9 H, 4 R, 4 ER, 0 BB, 2 K, in what was his first appearance with the Blue Jays since Game 7 of the World Series.

Bieber struggled to get going over his next two starts, but in his first outing following the All-Star break on July 18 against the Chicago White Sox, the right-hander found his old form. Bieber tossed six scoreless innings, striking out six, and picked up his first win of the 2026 season.

After flashing dominance, Bieber followed that up in his next start on July 23 by limiting the Tampa Bay Rays to one run across seven innings, while striking out three. On the verge of being swept, Bieber kept the Rays in check to power the Blue Jays to a 3-1 victory.

Following that start, trade rumours swirled due to Bieber’s impending free agent status. Unfortunately, Bieber imploded in his final start before the trade deadline on July 28 against the Washington Nationals. Bieber failed to make it out of the first inning and allowed four earned runs, which raised his ERA to 5.74, and ultimately stayed in Toronto for the rest of 2026.

As soon as the calendar flipped to August, Bieber became one of the major reasons the Blue Jays found themselves in the American League Wild Card race. Across four starts, Bieber went 3-0 with a 2.59 ERA and a 1.15 WHIP.

As was the theme with much of the 2026 season, Bieber suffered an injury after his start against the Rays on August 20. Bieber was diagnosed with right teres major inflammation and ended up being placed on the 15-day IL on August 24, ultimately ending his season.

As he heads for free agency, Bieber finishes the 2026 season by making 11 starts and going 5-2 with a 4.37 ERA and a 1.42 WHIP. Bieber struck out 44 batters across 55.2 innings and was hit at a .253 clip.

Select highlights

Nine up, nine down, with four strikeouts 🥵

Shane Bieber is dialled in 🔥 pic.twitter.com/WNo9VvUUOx

— Sportsnet (@Sportsnet) August 20, 2026

Shane Bieber, Filthy 85mph Slider. 😷 pic.twitter.com/OzznSVo3wS

— Rob Friedman (@PitchingNinja) July 18, 2026

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Blue Jays free agent target: Michael Conforto

Matthew Spagnuolo — Sat, 24 Oct 2026 17:00:34 GMT

The Toronto Blue Jays used a total of 16 outfielders in 2026; of those outfielders, nine were left-handed batters. Now, with the free-agent pool not as strong as in other seasons, the market for batters may push them toward shorter-term deals, especially with the new CBA yet to be finalized.

With Anthony Santander still a question mark for the 2027 season (whenever it can happen) and Addison Barger still recovering from end-of-season elbow surgery, the Blue Jays are going to need to find ways to inject more power into their lineup. Enter Michael Conforto, a very intriguing, underrated bat who could be a depth signing to shore up power in the lineup.

The 33-year-old Conforto spent this past season with the Chicago Cubs and managed to bounce back from a horrendous 2025 with the Dodgers by hitting 15 home runs and 45 RBIs in 113 games. He also finished with an OPS of .800, which is the highest he has had in six seasons.

Conforto, in a way, is similar to what the Blue Jays wanted to accomplish with Jesús Sánchez this past season; however, Sánchez going into 2026 was a plus defender, which later turned into a disaster in the field.

Of his 113 games for the Cubs, he spent 57 of those as the designated hitter and the other 46 in both corner outfield positions (31 games in right field, 15 in left field). Conforto used to have an incredibly strong throwing arm, but after undergoing shoulder surgery in 2022, his arm is not what it used to be.

Now, with all that information in mind, why would the Blue Jays try the Sánchez experiment on an older, subpar defender who is yet another left-hander in a crowded outfield? The simple answer is how he is against fastballs.

Conforto has always been a great fastball hitter, and last year, hitting .288 against fastballs was his major strength, resulting in 16 XBH in 167 plate appearances. With the team losing out on George Springer as the team’s DH full-time, Conforto could be a bat that the Blue Jays could turn to in a pinch-hit situation off the bench, or against righties. Conforto’s wRC+ was 119 last season for the Cubs, which, for comparison, would have put him fourth on the 2026 Blue Jays, which, of all regular batters, would have put him in the higher echelon.

Michael Conforto sends one 411 feet to dead center!

His season OPS is up to .820 💪 pic.twitter.com/WLpfkUlyq0

— Just Baseball (@JustBB_Media) September 5, 2026

The benefit about Conforto is that he may not come with an expensive price tag. Last year, he was signed off a minor league contract with the Cubs, after making $17 million with the Dodgers in 2025, before he was kept off the roster for the World Series run in 2025.

While Conforto is not the sexiest name on the market, he could be a potential project that the team can look to capitalize on in 2027 and beyond. As far as what would be a fair value for Conforto, you likely would have to shell out a bit of money if you want his services.

Conforto only made $2 million last season, and he is due a qualifying offer to sign a contract. Spotrac has him making between $7 million and $8 million dollars per season, which is not breaking the bank for a team with over $80 million to potentially spend this coming winter. It will be interesting to see if the team looks to add more power hitting across a multitude of areas.

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Assessing Andrés Giménez’ chances of winning his fourth Gold Glove

Cynthia Ryley Delaney — Sat, 24 Oct 2026 15:00:08 GMT

For the first time since Troy Tulowitzki, the Toronto Blue Jays had a strong defensive shortstop.

While Andrés Giménez’ bat failed to make an impact last season like Bo Bichette the year before, Giménez showed he’s the far superior defensive shortstop. Despite playing just 753.1 innings at the position from 2020 until 2025, Giménez excelled defensively in his first full season at the position. So much so that he was nominated for the American League Gold Glove at the position.

Gold Gloves are nothing new for the 28-year-old, winning the award at second base in three consecutive seasons from 2022 until 2024, including a platinum glove in 2022. Despite playing just 719.2 innings at the keystone in 2025, Giménez was nominated for the award, though he fell short due to a lack of playing time.

This season, the Blue Jays’ shortstop is up against the reigning Gold Glove winner for the position, Bobby Witt Jr., as well as Tampa Bay Rays’ Taylor Walls. Let’s see how he stacks up against the competition.

If you missed the other Blue Jays up for the Gold Glove award, you can read about Vladimir Guerrero Jr. here and Brandon Valenzuela here.

Giménez’ 2026 season stats at shortstop

Sometimes, a player struggles to translate strong defensive numbers from second base to shortstop, but that wasn’t the case for Giménez. In 1,179 innings at shortstop, Giménez finished with 2 Defensive Runs Saved, 19 Outs Above Average, and 16 Fielding Run Value. He also finished with a .985 fielding percentage, committing just seven errors.

Of the three advanced metrics, OAA is the best at evaluating infielders (not including first base or catchers). Among the 11 American League shortstops who played 500 or more innings, Giménez’ OAA of 19 was second-best, five behind the leader. He had a strong FRV as well, sitting second with 16, just one behind the leader.

Giménez’ DRS was his weak spot, but he was one of just six AL shortstops with 500 innings at the position who finished with a positive DRS. In the end, his 2 DRS ranked tied for sixth.

When including National League shortstops, Giménez’ 19 OAA was tied for second, while his FRV ranked third. Only 13 of the 24 shortstops with 500 or more innings had a positive DRS, with Giménez ranking tied for 11th in all of MLB.

Unlike first base and catcher, there isn’t a Baseball Savant metric focusing on shortstop, third basemen, or second basemen, but Giménez was in the 99th percentile for OAA and averaged 85.9 mph on his throws, sitting in the middle of the pack.

The eye test backs up his strong metrics, but another thing going for Giménez is his track record. Of the three nominees, he’s won the most Gold Gloves in his career, and has been nominated in all five seasons since becoming a regular in 2022.

How Giménez stacks up against the other nominees

No shortstop in MLB had a higher DRS than Walls, who finished with 21, more than double Masyn Winn’s second-placed 10 DRS. What hurts the Rays’ shortstop is the other two metrics, finishing the regular season with a -3 OAA and -2 FRV in 1,036.2 innings. Both his -3 OAA and -2 FRV ranked fourth-worst among AL shortstops with 500 innings. Walls finished the season with nine errors, good for a .981 fielding percentage, tied for third-best in the AL.

His .981 fielding percentage was tied with Witt Jr., who committed 10 errors in his 1,209 innings at shortstop. Walls finished the year with a higher DRS than Witt Jr. ‘s 8 DRS, but Witt Jr. led all MLB shortstops with 24 OAA, five ahead of Giménez. He also finished tied for the league lead with 17 FRV.

So who wins?

Facing anyone else other than Witt Jr., Giménez more than likely takes home the fourth Gold Glove of his career. However, it looks like Witt Jr. will win his third consecutive AL shortstop Gold Glove. Like Giménez, he has a track record.

It’s not as clear cut as Dillon Dingler winning the award for catchers in the AL, or Guerrero Jr. winning for first basemen, but Witt Jr.’s numbers across the board are better. Walls could get some consideration as well, given his 21 DRS was tied for second among any position, but it’s Witt Jr.’s award.

Cynthia Ryley Delaney is a Nation Network writer for Blue Jays Nation, DFOEdmonton, and DFOCalgary. She can be followed on Twitter @CynthiaRDelaney.

Louis Varland took the Blue Jays’ closer job in April and ran with it

Cynthia Ryley Delaney — Sat, 24 Oct 2026 13:00:36 GMT

It’s been a long time since the Toronto Blue Jays have had a closer as dominant as Louis Varland.

The team has had some solid closers over the years, such as Jordan Romano for the early portion of the 2020s, as well as Ken Giles for a couple of years. On top of the pedestal is Tom Henke, who has a franchise record 217 saves, while Duane Ward’s 121 saves rank second.

But with the emergence of Varland, it looks like the team has a closer who can give Henke a run for his money.

Louis Varland’s 2026 season

The Minnesota product was enjoying his start to the 2025 season with his home state Twins, authoring a 2.02 ERA and 2.93 FIP in 49 innings of work over 51 games. Before the 2025 trade deadline, the Blue Jays sent Alan Roden and Kendry Rojas to the American League Central team for Varland and Ty France.

Varland had a tough August 2025, but returned to John Schneider’s circle of trust thanks to a solid September. That led to the right-handed pitcher breaking the record for most appearances in a single postseason, appearing in 17 games for the Blue Jays as they went to Game 7 of the World Series.

The 28-year-old’s numbers were okay in the playoffs, but Varland emerged as one of the best relievers in baseball last season.

Over 71 appearances, Varland posted a 1.27 ERA and 1.83 FIP in 78 innings of work. No pitchers with 50 or more innings pitched finished with a lower ERA than Varland’s, and it wasn’t particularly close either. Tampa Bay Rays’ closer (and former Blue Jay) Bryan Baker had the next best ERA, 1.44. Varland also had the third-best FIP, behind Mason Miller (1.17 FIP) and Jhoan Durán.

A hard-throwing righty, Varland generated plenty of whiffs, with his 31.6 K% ranking tied for 11th in MLB among relievers with 50 or more innings pitched. He also limited free passes (6.6 BB%) and gave up just two home runs, the latter category ranking in the top 10.

Varland didn’t start the season as the team’s closer, but by the end of the season, he was one of the best closers in baseball. On April 21st, Varland notched his first career save, replacing Jeff Hoffman with the bases loaded and one out. It took one pitch to generate a double play, and Varland never relinquished the role.

From April 21st onward, Varland completed 35 saves (tied for fifth) while blowing just two chances. There aren’t many in the business better than Varland.

Cynthia Ryley Delaney is a Nation Network writer for Blue Jays Nation, DFOEdmonton, and DFOCalgary. She can be followed on Twitter @CynthiaRDelaney.

Blue Jays free agent target: Tarik Skubal

Tristan Morgan — Sat, 24 Oct 2026 11:00:25 GMT

The Toronto Blue Jays have plenty of work to do this offseason following a disappointing 2026 campaign, but few additions could change their outlook for 2027 quite like Tarik Skubal.

The two-time American League Cy Young Award winner is expected to command one of the largest contracts ever given to a starting pitcher, with a potential $400-million deal or even a $500-million commitment on the table. For Toronto, pursuing that kind of investment would be a gamble, but one worth exploring as the club looks to return to contention.

Skubal, who is expected to enter free agency this winter, was traded from the Detroit Tigers to the Los Angeles Dodgers in August, with Los Angeles hoping the ace could help deliver a third consecutive World Series championship. That pursuit ended with a loss to the Milwaukee Brewers in the National League Championship Series, leaving Skubal as undoubtedly the biggest prize of this coming offseason.

Although Toronto finished 79-83 and fifth in the American League East in 2026, its recent history suggests the front office will not shy away from pursuing elite talent, even at the risk of stockpiling one side of the roster. Toronto appears more concerned with how much a player can move the needle than with whether an addition creates a surplus elsewhere.

For example, last offseason, the front office spent a total of $259 million on starting pitching between Dylan Cease, Cody Ponce, Max Scherzer, and Shane Bieber. Once Spring Training rolled around, Toronto had more capable starters than rotation spots, with nine pitchers who could not be optioned to the minors.

Skubal is the kind of player who could help Toronto turn its disappointing season into a distant memory.

Skubal’s reputation precedes him, and the 29-year-old ace needs almost no introduction. He captured the American League pitching Triple Crown in 2024, finishing with 18 wins, a 2.39 ERA, and 228 strikeouts over 192 innings. He followed that performance with a 2.21 ERA and 241 strikeouts across 195 1/3 innings in 2025, earning his second consecutive Cy Young Award and becoming the 12th pitcher in major league history to accomplish the feat.

ONE OF ONE.

Tarik Skubal is your BACK-TO-BACK American League Cy Young Award Winner‼️ pic.twitter.com/Eg06aJUokr

— Detroit Tigers (@tigers) November 13, 2025

His 2026 campaign, in contrast to the previous two seasons, was interrupted by an elbow procedure to remove loose bodies, costing him a significant portion of the season. Nevertheless, Skubal returned to record a 2.72 ERA, 186 strikeouts and a 0.96 WHIP over 158 2/3 innings between Detroit and Los Angeles. His ability to maintain that level of production following the procedure should be encouraging to potential suitors, although his medical history will be an important consideration in any long-term contract.

Skubal’s value goes beyond his impressive ERA and strikeout totals. Since increasing his changeup usage in 2022, the results have been breathtaking. In 2026, hitters recorded just a .192 batting average against the changeup, which generated a 46.9 per cent whiff rate. His secondary pitches also hold up exceptionally well, but the changeup is his bread and butter.

Tarik Skubal, 96mph Fastball and 89mph Changeup, Overlay. pic.twitter.com/k9oAl2ROkT

— Rob Friedman (@PitchingNinja) October 3, 2026

His repertoire helped him generate a 32.9 per cent strikeout rate, placing him in the 96th percentile. Combined with the swing-and-miss ability of Cease, a healthy Trey Yesavage, Skubal could help form a postseason rotation capable of taking on any lineup in baseball.

Skubal’s postseason track record is yet another reason he could be the biggest needle-mover on the market this winter. Across eight career playoff appearances, he has recorded a 2.13 ERA and 70 strikeouts over 50 2/3 innings. His 2025 post-season with Detroit was particularly impressive, as he posted a 1.74 ERA and struck out 36 batters in 20 2/3 innings. With the Dodgers in 2026, he added 14 strikeouts and a 2.45 ERA across two starts.

The financial commitment remains the biggest obstacle to a potential deal. Skubal’s representation could push for a contract approaching $500 million, but that figure should be viewed as an upper-end possibility rather than the expected outcome. A survey of 27 industry contract projections compiled by ESPN’s Kiley McDaniel produced an average forecast of eight years and $355 million, with several estimates reaching $400 million and a handful climbing to $500 million.

Toronto would still need to weigh the risks of committing that much money to a pitcher with recent elbow surgery. A long-term contract of this magnitude could limit the Blue Jays’ ability to address other roster weaknesses, particularly if injuries or declining performance emerge later in the deal. However, few available players offer Skubal’s combination of age, dominance and postseason experience.

Toronto has never been afraid to explore the market for baseball’s biggest stars, even when the odds of landing them appear slim. Signing Skubal remains unlikely given the expected price and competition from other big-market clubs, including the Dodgers and the New York Mets. Still, the Blue Jays should not be ruled out of the conversation, and why would they be? Toronto is among baseball’s top three spenders, has significant money coming off the books and boasts a front office that consistently pursues the biggest names available.

After a season that fell well short of expectations, Toronto needs a needle-mover. Skubal would give the club a significant boost, raise its postseason ceiling and help restore its status as an American League contender heading into 2027. A $500-million contract may be difficult to justify, but a serious pursuit of a pitcher who could transform the rotation should be well within the realm of possibility for Toronto’s off-season plans.

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Remembering the 2025 World Series, the best World Series of the 21st century

Cynthia Ryley Delaney — Fri, 23 Oct 2026 21:00:24 GMT

The 2026 World Series begins on Friday evening.

This year, the Milwaukee Brewers take on the Tampa Bay Rays. It’s a World Series featuring a pair of small market ball clubs in the hunt for the first World Series in franchise history, a far cry from the 2025 World Series which featured two high-payroll teams.

The 2026 season was a disappointing one for the Toronto Blue Jays, but memories of the last Fall Classic are unforgettable, for good and bad reasons. At the end of the day, if you look at the 2025 World Series as an outside observer, it shouldn’t be a hot take to say it was one of the best in the 21st century.

Moments and performances define a World Series. Every World Series has one game that stands out because of these moments. For the 2025 World Series, you can point to pretty much any game and say “that was the best game of the series”. It didn’t go the Jays’ way, but what a series it was.

Editor’s note: This article will be a deep dive into the 2025 World Series, featuring clips of Game 7.

Game 1

Thanks to a better record, the Blue Jays hosted Game 1 of the World Series and managed to win 11-4.

Moment/Performance: Addison Barger’s pinch-hit home run

Coming into the bottom of the sixth, the two teams were deadlocked at two apiece. The first three Blue Jays reached, chasing southpaw Blake Snell with Clement coming up to at-bat with the bases loaded. Righty or lefty, it didn’t matter, as Clement drove in a run with a single. Lukes walked to drive in another run, followed by an RBI single courtesy of Andrés Giménez.

After George Springer grounded out, the Blue Jays turned to Barger to pinch-hit for Davis Schneider, with the Dodgers countering with southpaw and former Blue Jay Anthony Banda. It didn’t matter, as on a 2-1 pitch, Barger hit the first pinch-hit grand slam in World Series history, blowing the game wide open.

THE FIRST PINCH-HIT GRAND SLAM IN WORLD SERIES HISTORY! pic.twitter.com/eQHuu1t4S8

— Toronto Blue Jays (@BlueJays) October 25, 2025

The Jays added two more runs that inning thanks to a two-run shot by Alejandro Kirk, hanging a nine-spot on the defending World Series champions. Shohei Ohtani hit a two-run blast in the seventh, but it was far too late as the Jays took Game 1.

Game 2

Game 2, also at the Rogers Centre, saw the Dodgers collect a 5-1 victory to send the teams to California knotted up at one.

Moment/Performance: Yoshinobu Yamamoto’s gem

Not all moments and performances from the 2025 World Series belonged to the Blue Jays. Game 2’s performance belongs to the Dodgers, as starter Yoshinobu Yamamoto went the distance, allowing just four hits, one earned run, and striking out eight.

The Dodgers gave him an early, but the Blue Jays responded with a run in the bottom of the third thanks to a hit by pitch, single, and sacrifice fly. Following that single, the Blue Jays didn’t get another base runner, as Yamamoto retired the next 20 batters in a dominant display.

Yoshinobu Yamamoto strikes out the side!

He's through 8 innings in #WorldSeries Game 2 👀 pic.twitter.com/nAcMhy57i7

— MLB (@MLB) October 26, 2025

However, Blue Jays’ starter Kevin Gausman had a strong start as well. After six, the teams remained tied, but a solo home run by Will Smith in the top of the seventh turned out to be the game-winner, with Gausman surrendering another run that inning. Two more Dodger runs in the top of the eighth didn’t matter, as Yamamoto cruised to a 5-1 Dodgers’ victory.

Game 3

Game 3 was the first instant classic game the two teams played, lasting 18 innings before the Dodgers hit a solo home run to take a 2-1 series lead.

Moment/Performance: Freddie Freeman’s walk-off home run

There are three games I’d describe as a classic in this World Series, with Game 3 being the first one. It was an 18-inning affair to decide who took a 2-1 series lead. With the Blue Jays lineup decimated due to using pinch hitters, the Dodgers ended up outlasting the Blue Jays thanks to a walk-off home run by Canadian Freddie Freeman.

FREDDIE FREEMAN WALK-OFF HOME RUN IN THE 18TH INNING! #WORLDSERIES pic.twitter.com/wD1xbRxDbC

— MLB (@MLB) October 28, 2025

That was the moment, but there were plenty of performances as well. On the Blue Jays’ side, Alejandro Kirk hit a massive three-run home run to turn a 2-0 deficit into a 3-2 lead. When the game went to extras, Eric Lauer pitched four and two-third scoreless innings to keep the Blue Jays alive.

On the Dodger side of things, Will Klein pitched four scoreless innings, giving up a hit, two walks, and striking out five, picking up the victory. No player had a performance like Ohtani, who reached base in all nine of his at bats, hitting two home runs, two doubles, and earning five free passes.

Freeman gave us the moment, but there were so many performances in this game.

Game 4

Of the seven games played in the 2025 World Series, I’d say that Game 4 is the only one lacking a performance or a moment. In the end, the Blue Jays won 6-2 to even up the series at two.

Moment/Performance: Nothing

The closest thing to a moment was Guerrero Jr.’s third inning, two-run home run, giving the Blue Jays a 2-1 lead. They never relinquished the lead, instead stringing a few hits together in the top of the seventh to expand their lead to four. In the bottom of the ninth, the Dodgers scored a run off Louis Varland, but this was a pretty comfortable win.

Game 5

The final game played in Los Angeles in 2025 was a vital Game 5, determining who went back to Canada with a 3-2 series lead. In the end, the Blue Jays were the victors, defeating the Dodgers 6-1.

Moment/Performance: Davis Schneider and Guerrero Jr. go back-to-back

Before I even had a moment to sit down, lead-off hitter Davis Schneider took the first pitch of the ball game over the left field wall to give the Blue Jays a 1-0 lead. This also happens to be my favourite Dan Shulman calls. Two pitches later, Guerrero Jr. took Snell deep to give the Jays a 2-0 lead. This was the moment.

DAVIS SAYS PLAY BALL!!!! pic.twitter.com/wLQSnI3R8O

— Toronto Blue Jays (@BlueJays) October 30, 2025

Like Game 4, the Jays ended up winning this one comfortably, thanks in large part to a historic performance by Trey Yesavage. Over seven innings of work, the rookie struck out 12 and gave up just three hits and an earned run. By striking out 12, Yesavage set a new rookie record in the World Series, one that lasted nearly 70 years.

NO ROOKIE IN #WORLDSERIES HISTORY HAS MORE STRIKEOUTS IN A SINGLE GAME THAN TREY YESAVAGE! pic.twitter.com/EPhVlbseQK

— Toronto Blue Jays (@BlueJays) October 30, 2025

It was a fantastic game, likely the best in many World Series, but it wasn’t the best in the 2025 World Series.

Game 6

With their backs against the wall, the Dodgers turned to Yamamoto to start Game 6. In the end, the Dodgers defeated the Blue Jays 3-1 to force a winner-take-all Game 7.

Moment/Performance: Game-ending double play to force Game 7

A World Series can’t be the best without a little bit of controversy.

With Yamamoto back on the mound, the Blue Jays struggled to create momentum. After the Dodgers scored third in the top of the third, the Blue Jays responded with a run in their half of the third. After that, they managed to hit just two singles off Yamamoto in the next two innings.

Their next best chance to score was in Yamamoto’s final inning, as Guerrero Jr. hit a double and Bichette walked, bringing a go-ahead run to the plate with two outs. Unfortunately, Yamamoto’s final pitch of the game was a splitter that got Varsho to chase, ending the threat. The Jays left a runner stranded at second in both the seventh and eighth, giving them just three more outs to do something.

Kirk led off the bottom of the ninth, getting hit by Rōki Sasaki on a 0-2 pitch. Then, the controversy happened. On a 2-2 pitch, Barger managed to get the ball down in the outfield. The ball got stuck between the padding, and it was ruled a double. It was a one-in-a-million play, but Myles Straw (who pinch-ran for Kirk) likely wouldn’t have scored.

BARGER SETS HITS A DOUBLE AFTER THE BALL GETS LODGED IN THE WALL

BLUE JAYS HAVE RUNNERS ON SECOND AND THIRD WITH NO OUTS pic.twitter.com/oaR4UXdExz

— Sportsnet (@Sportsnet) November 1, 2025

Still with runners on second and third with no outs, Clement was far too aggressive, popping up a first pitch sinker located in the hands. At this point, a base hit would have tied the game, but then came the moment from Game 6.

On a 1-0 pitch, Giménez connected with a pitch just outside the zone. It was in bloop territory, but Enrique Hernández ran it down for the second out. Then he got the third out by doubling up Barger, setting up a winner-take-all Game 7.

The Dodgers tie the series following a double play in Game 6 of the #WorldSeries pic.twitter.com/5f4Ao5SYrd

— Sportsnet (@Sportsnet) November 1, 2025

The controversy, the moment, a strong pitching display by Yamamoto. In many cases, this is probably a World Series’ best game. However, the 2025 World Series had Game 7.

Game 7

I mean, we all know what happened.

Moment/Performance: Pick one

All Game 7 had to do to make the 2025 World Classic one of the best in recent memories was be entertaining. Instead, we were treated to one of the best games of all time. It had moments, it had performances, it had heartbreak, it really had everything.

There are so many moments to choose from. In the bottom of the third, Bichette hit a three-run tank off Ohtani, his penultimate hit as a Jay.

BO BICHETTE DELIVERS!!!

BLUE JAYS LEAD IN GAME 7!!! #WorldSeries pic.twitter.com/SNVbkOiqo9

— Sportsnet (@Sportsnet) November 2, 2025

Who could forget Guerrero Jr.’s celebration after the Blue Jays turned an inning ending double play in the top of the seventh?

TURNING TWO IN STYLE LET'S GOOOOOOOO 🗣️🗣️🗣️ pic.twitter.com/5ARd4fnTHM

— Sportsnet (@Sportsnet) November 2, 2025

Do you even remember that the benches cleared in Game 7 of a World Series? How many times has that happened in the scenario the two teams were in?

THE BENCHES AND THE BULLPENS CLEAR IN GAME 7 OF THE #WORLDSERIES pic.twitter.com/evTPjtHhoN

— Sportsnet (@Sportsnet) November 2, 2025

But what this game will be known for is the Miguel Rojas home run. Down by one with just two outs left, bench player Rojas hit a game-tying blast before Ohtani stepped up to the plate. Watching clips from this game is pretty tough, and admittedly it’s the most I’ve watched from the game since November 1st, 2025, but this takes the cake. It’s also the moment from the game.

Miguel Rojas homers to tie it for the Dodgers in Game 7 of the #WorldSeries pic.twitter.com/CWiZ0p5EB1

— Sportsnet (@Sportsnet) November 2, 2025

Following the Rojas home run, everything that went wrong for the Blue Jays did. Guerrero Jr. led off the ninth, hitting a deep flyout that looked like it was gone off the bat. The Blue Jays loaded the bases, but Varsho just missed keeping a ball fair to walk it off. Later in the at-bat, he hit it to the second baseman, with lead runner Isiah Kiner-Falefa being out by literal inches.

A game of inches… pic.twitter.com/wPYGx2ci0H

— Sportsnet (@Sportsnet) November 2, 2025

Then Clement stepped up to the plate trying to right the wrong from the day before. He connected with the pitch, but Andy Pages made a terrific catch in the outfield to send the game to extras.

To extra innings we go in Game 7 of the #WorldSeries pic.twitter.com/gOiDa4NBpu

— Sportsnet (@Sportsnet) November 2, 2025

The Dodgers loaded the bases in the top of the 10th, but Seranthony Domíguez got two key outs. In the bottom of the tenth, the Jays responded by going three up, three down, bad news for them as Will Smith hit a go-ahead home run in the 11th.

Guerrero Jr. led off the inning with a double, then was moved to third on a sacrifice bunt. Barger walked, bringing up Kirk to the plate. We all know what happened next.

IT'S OVER! IT'S OVER! THEY DID IT!

THE DODGERS WIN THE 2025 WORLD SERIES! pic.twitter.com/wQbPhszZsB

— FOX Sports: MLB (@MLBONFOX) November 2, 2025

There were so many notable performances from this game, including Yamamoto pitching on no rest to retire the final eight outs. Max Scherzer, 41 years old at the time, had a strong performance. This was the game in which Clement broke the all-time hits record for a single postseason, and Varland set the record for the most appearances in a postseason by a pitcher.

I don’t have doubt in my mind that this is the greatest World Series of the 21st century, and one of the best World Series of all time. It’s just a damn shame that I and many other Blue Jays won’t be able to watch it back.

Cynthia Ryley Delaney is a Nation Network writer for Blue Jays Nation, DFOEdmonton, and DFOCalgary. She can be followed on Twitter @CynthiaRDelaney.

Flashback Friday: Looking at Joe Carter’s walk-off home run 33 years ago

Cynthia Ryley Delaney — Fri, 23 Oct 2026 19:00:55 GMT

On this day 33 years ago, the biggest home run in Toronto Blue Jays’ history was hit.

There’s been a handful of big home runs in franchise history: George Springer and Bo Bichette’s home runs last year, Edwin Encarnación in 2016, and José Bautista in 2015. However, all pale in comparison to Joe Carter’s blast to capture the 1993 World Series.

In this edition of Flashback Friday, we’ll look at Carter’s “touch ‘em all” home run and the 1993 playoffs.

The set up

The Blue Jays entered the 1993 season as the defending World Series champions, defeating the Atlanta Braves in six games. While that decisive Game 6 didn’t end in walk-off fashion, the Blue Jays scored twice in the top of the 11th to capture what was then the only World Series to head north of the border. They had a knack for the theatrics.

For the second consecutive season, the Blue Jays first in the American League East, something that needed to be done to make the playoffs back in those days. They finished with a 95-67 record, a seven-game cushion over the New York Yankees. On top of that, they finished with the third-most runs scored (847).

In the American League Championship Series, the Jays took the first two games against the Chicago White Sox, before the White Sox won the first two games at the Skydome. A 5-3 victory in Game 5 pushed the White Sox to the brink, and a 6-3 victory in Game 6 sent the Blue Jays to the World Series for a date against the Phillies.

The teams split the first two games in Toronto, but the Blue Jays responded with 10-3 victory in Game 3 and a historic 15-14 victory in Game 4, pushing the Phillies to the brink. They failed to close it out in Pennsylvania, falling 2-0 and sending the two teams back to Ontario.

Before the home run

The Blue Jays were first to strike in Game 6, taking a 3-0 lead thanks to a RBI triple from Paul Molitor and a two-RBI single by Roberto Alomar. In the top of the fourth, the Phillies got on the board, but Ed Sprague restored the three-run lead thanks to a sacrifice fly, then Molitor hit a solo home run to put the Blue Jays up 5-1 with four innings to go.

After a scoreless sixth, the Jays needed three more outs to go back-to-back, but then came the top of the seventh.

Kevin Stocker walked, then Mickey Morandini hit a single to put two runners on. With one swing of the bat courtesy of Lenny Dykstra, the Phillies got to within one. Dave Stewart was pulled, but Danny Cox allowed his first base runner to reach. A stolen base and a one-out single tied the game, then a bases-loaded sacrifice fly saw the Phillies take a 6-5 lead.

With the Jays needing runs, the Phillies went three up, three down in the bottom of the seventh. The Blue Jays were oh so close to finding the tying run in the bottom of the eighth, but Pat Borders popped out to end the threat, giving the Blue Jays just three more outs to do something.

The home run

After a scoreless top of the ninth, Rickey Henderson led-off the ninth with a four pitch walk. Devon White battled, but lost it after flying out on the ninth pitch of the at-bat, bringing Molitor to the plate. He notched his third hit of the game, hitting a single to put runners on first and second with one out. Then up came Carter.

The Blue Jays’ icon watched the first two pitches miss the zone, putting him in a hitter’s count. He lost the advantage in the next two pitches, watching the third pitch land in the zone, followed by whiff on the fourth pitch of the count, giving the Blue Jays just four more strikes before a winner-take-all Game 7.

Thankfully, it didn’t come to that. The fifth pitch of the plate appearance turned out to be the final of the 1993 season, as Carter pulled the ball over the left field wall to walk it off.

TOUCH 'EM ALL, JOE! 🏆🏆

On this day in ‘93, we went back to back! pic.twitter.com/uADEq84rXh

— Toronto Blue Jays (@BlueJays) October 23, 2022

This home run is in exceedingly rare company, as it’s just one of two times a World Series has been walked off with a home run. The only other time it has happened was all the way back in the 1960 World Series, 66 years ago as you read this article and 33 years ago when Carter hit his home run. Bill Mazeroski did it for the Pirates, hitting it in Game 7 against the Yankees.

Cynthia Ryley Delaney is a Nation Network writer for Blue Jays Nation, DFOEdmonton, and DFOCalgary. She can be followed on Twitter @CynthiaRDelaney.

Ernie Clement’s 2026 season was a tale of two halves

Cynthia Ryley Delaney — Fri, 23 Oct 2026 17:00:31 GMT

It was a tale of two halves for Toronto Blue Jays’ second baseman Ernie Clement.

After setting the all-time record for most postseason hits in 2025, Clement picked up where he left off in the first half of the season, only to struggle down the stretch. What resulted was the worst of his three full seasons in the big leagues.

We’ve seen that at his best, the utility infielder is capable of hitting everything no matter where the pitch is thrown. But at his worst, Clement is essentially an automatic out in the lineup. Let’s take a look at his 2026.

How Ernie Clement’s season went

Clement was one of the Blue Jays’ best hitters last postseason. Over 18 games, the utility infielder slashed .411/.416/.562 with a home run and 30 knocks, an all-time record in Major League Baseball’s postseason.

While he was an around average hitter during the 2025 regular season, Clement more than made up for it with strong defence across three infield positions. At third base, his most commonly played position in 2025, he posted 11 Defensive Runs Saved, 6 Outs Above Average, and 4 Fielding Run Value. At second base, he had 10 DRS, 5 OAA, and 4 FRV, while posting 0 DRS, 2 OAA, and 1 FRV at shortstop.

Overall, 2025 was a pretty great season for Clement.

Had the 2026 season stopped at the 2026 All-Star Game, it would’ve been an even better season for Clement, at least with the bat. From the beginning of the season until July 12th, Clement slashed .296/.318/.433 with eight home runs in 374 plate appearances, good for a 109 wRC+.

Only five players, former Blue Jay Otto López, Luis Arráez, Yandy Díaz, Yordan Álvarez, and Xavier Edwards had more hits than Clement’s 106 heading into the All-Star break. At that point in the season, Clement hit 23 doubles, tied for fourth with a handful of players such as Freddie Freeman and Nico Hoerner. Only López, Rafael Devers, and Matt Olson hit more doubles at this point of the season.

Clement, deservedly, earned a trip to his first ever All-Star game. The only American League second baseman who had a higher wRC+ than Clement’s 109 was Minnesota Twins’ Kody Clemens, and he split his time between the keystone, first base, and both corner outfields in 2026.

Unfortunately for Clement and the Blue Jays, his post-All-Star Game numbers were some of the worst for any qualified hitter. In 247 plate appearances following the All-Star Game, Clement slashed just .203/.235/.259 with one home run in 247 plate appearances. His 36 wRC+ ranked second-lowest in Major League Baseball.

What makes this even worse is that his strikeout and walk rate remained essentially the same. That means that team’s adjusted to his aggressive approach, getting him to roll over on pitches for quick outs.

His second-half performance is made even worse considering he struggled defensively. In both 2024 and 2025, Clement was nominated (and should’ve won) Gold Gloves. In 981.2 innings at second base, his primary position, Clement finished with -2 DRS, -3 OAA, and -1 FRV. He struggled at shortstop as well, posting 0 DRS, -3 OAA, and -3 FRV in 257 innings at the position, but had 3 DRS, 1 OAA, and 0 FRV in 88.2 innings at the hot corner.

Clement has always been a league-average hitter with the Blue Jays, but the second half of his 2026 season isn’t encouraging, especially since he’s projected by MLB Trade Rumors to make over $7 million in arbitration.

So what about the cause for the decline? To me, it’s pretty obvious he was suffering from fatigue. On top of playing 157 of 162 regular season games in 2025, he appeared in 18 playoff games, a handful of Spring Training games, and even attended the World Baseball Classic. In 2026, he appeared in all but four games, playing in 93 of 96 games by the All-Star break. His All-Star break wasn’t even a break.

Clement still has a place on the 2027 Blue Jays, though his arbitration projection is a bit concerning for his spot moving forward. If he remains a Blue Jay next season, he’s better suited as a utility or platoon role, while the Blue Jays search for an everyday second baseman like Jazz Chisholm Jr. or Brandon Lowe.

Cynthia Ryley Delaney is a Nation Network writer for Blue Jays Nation, DFOEdmonton, and DFOCalgary. She can be followed on Twitter @CynthiaRDelaney.

Blue Jays free agent target: Adrian Morejon

Michael Coyle — Fri, 23 Oct 2026 15:00:38 GMT

The Toronto Blue Jays were forced to rely heavily on their bullpen to get through the 2026 season.

With a starting rotation that felt like it was dealing with a different injury each week, the Blue Jays were forced to shuffle arms through their pitching staff to get through the course of the 162-game season.

While the bullpen held up well for much of the campaign, the opportunity to add another high-leverage arm to the group through free agency could be hard to pass up.

Once a winner is crowned between the Milwaukee Brewers and the Tampa Bay Rays in the World Series, Adrian Morejon will become a free agent for the first time since he was signed by the San Diego Padres to a minor-league deal on July 7, 2016, as an international free agent.

Morejon has spent all eight of his seasons in Major League Baseball with the Padres, and after becoming a mainstay in their bullpen during the 2024 campaign, he has turned himself into one of the game’s best left-handed relievers.

Across 60 games in 2024, Morejon produced a 2.83 ERA before he upped that in the 2025 season by appearing in 75 games, and posted a 13-6 record with a 2.08 ERA and a 0.90 WHIP.

In 2026, Morejon pitched in a career-high 76 games and went 9-3 with a 2.83 ERA and a 1.08 WHIP. The 27-year-old struck out 107 batters – the third-most of any reliever, trailing only Mason Miller and Aaron Ashby – across 86 innings and limited opponents to a .205 average.

Morejon appeared in two games this postseason, first during the National League Wild Card Series against in Game 2’s 4-1 victory over the Chicago Cubs, then again in Game 1 of the NL Division series against the Brewers. Morejon threw two innings in each of his outings and allowed one run on four hits, while striking out two.

Speaking to the media after being eliminated from the playoffs, Morejon stated he wants to stay in San Diego, but knows that the free agency process can be unpredictable, especially for a top-of-the-market reliever who should draw interest from many teams across the league.

“I feel sad because I don’t want to say goodbye,” Morejon said. “But it’s business, and let’s see what happens during the offseason.”

After the Blue Jays were forced to use Mason Fluharty in 83 games – the most in MLB – so adding another left-hander to the back end of the bullpen could go a long way in further strengthening Toronto’s bullpen. The only other left-handed options currently on the 40-man roster are Brendan Cellucci, Brendon Little, and Ricky Tiedemann, so this is an area that could be in need of an upgrade.

If the Blue Jays want Morejon, they are likely going to have to break the bank for the young lefty. Bleacher Report’s Joel Reuter projects Morejon to receive a five-year, $90-million deal, and while it’s a steep price to pay, the thought of Louis Varland, Tyler Rogers, and Morejon working as a three-headed monster has to spark some interest for the Blue Jays management group.

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