With just one week, the Toronto Blue Jays have altered the entire outlook of their starting rotation for next season.

In that span, the franchise has added not one but two impact starters — first Dylan Cease, agreeing to the richest free-agent contract in Blue Jays history, and then reigning KBO MVP Cody Ponce, who’s reportedly inked a three-year deal worth $30 million.

When the off-season first opened, Toronto’s rotation plans for 2026 featured plenty of uncertainty, with Chris Bassitt and Max Scherzer set to hit free agency, and Shane Bieber (player option) highly expected to join them. Of course, Bieber ultimately decided to forgo the open market after triggering his $16 million option — a shocking decision that many industry executives remain puzzled by.

But now, less than a week before the winter meetings commence in Orlando, Fla., the Blue Jays currently have more major league-calibre starters than rotation spots available. And here are who’ll be included in that mix:

Further highlighting the club’s starting pitching depth, they also figure to begin next season with four starters on their 40-man roster at the triple-A level.

Amid an era of industry-wide pitching injuries, the Blue Jays’ brass has worked aggressively this winter to better prepare themselves to survive the grind of a 162-game season. They’ve kept their heads above water in previous years, relying on the likes of Ross Stripling, Hyun Jin Ryu, Francis and Lauer to step in and save their depleted rotation from a burning building.

At some point, though, that luck will inevitably run out. Gausman (158), who trails only Cease (162) in games started since 2021, will be 35 years old next season and has already logged a ton of kilometres on his odometer. Bieber is preparing for his first full season post-Tommy John surgery, and Berríos also faces injury questions after spending the remainder of ’25 on the IL.

There’s also the possibility that Toronto aims to lighten Yesavage’s workload in ’26, considering his innings total climbed to 139.2 frames between his 25 minor-league appearances (22 starts), three regular-season starts in the majors and six post-season appearances (five starts) from this past fall.

It’s also worth noting that six pitchers made at least 10 starts for the Blue Jays last season, a group that included Francis (14), Lauer (15), Scherzer (17), Berríos (30), Bassitt (31) and Gausman (32).

With those factors in mind, odds are that being seven starters deep will probably work out in the organization’s favour when spring training rolls around.

Signing Ponce also provides the franchise with a few options regarding Berríos’ fate, which could see him opt out of the final two seasons of his seven-year, $131 million contract next winter. They now have the luxury of keeping the door open regarding a potential trade. If an acceptable offer arises, they can more seriously consider parting ways without worrying about how it’d significantly deplete their starting pitching depth.

Alternatively, if Berríos returns in ’26, chances are he’ll compete alongside Ponce (who’s expected to retain his final minor-league option) and Lauer next spring for the fifth starter’s job and swingman role in the bullpen.

The Ponce signing also factors into the long-term outlook for Toronto, which is now guaranteed to have him, Cease and Yesavage locked in as core pieces of the 2027 rotation.