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Blue Jays’ Davis Schneider reflects on difficult 2026 campaign ‘wasn’t performing the way I wanted to’
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Photo credit: Kevin Sousa-Imagn Images
Michael Coyle
Oct 4, 2026, 10:00 EDTUpdated: Oct 3, 2026, 19:01 EDT
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The Toronto Blue Jays’ 2026 season was largely a disappointment from start to finish. 
Fresh off a run to the 2025 World Series, the Blue Jays entered the 2026 campaign with high expectations, but wound up slumping to a 79-83 record, good for last place in the American League East. 
Many of the club’s players experienced a step back in offensive performance, which resulted in the Blue Jays finishing with the fewest runs and home runs in the majors. Among those players who experienced their fair share of struggles was Davis Schneider. 
Schneider appeared in 69 games with the Blue Jays this past season and batted .145 with five home runs and 16 RBIs. Schneider saw himself optioned four times to Triple-A Buffalo as he struggled to replicate the success he flashed during the 2025 season when he batted .234 with 11 home runs and 31 RBIs. 
In an interview with Lindsay Dunn during the final weekend of the regular season, Schneider touched on the impact bouncing between Buffalo and Toronto had on him, what the future holds for him, and the impact George Springer has had in the Blue Jays’ clubhouse. 
“It’s still the same grind every single day playing baseball. Mentally, it’s tough, especially when I was here [Toronto], I wasn’t performing the way I wanted to but when I was in Triple-A, people say, oh it sucks, but I still get to play baseball and get a lot of money to go out there and have fun with your boys,” Schneider said. “I never take it for granted whether I’m here or in Triple-A. As long as I’m stepping on the field and getting to play baseball, I’m happy.” 
Originally drafted by the Blue Jays in the 28th round of the 2017 MLB Draft, Toronto has been the only organization Schneider has ever known. Following a subpar season, the 27-year-old’s spot on the 40-man roster is far from a sure thing, which could result in Schneider having to look elsewhere. 
“Every single year, you never know what the next year is going to entail. Especially after a year like this with the high expectations and we don’t live up to them as a team. Whether they’re going to be looking for new guys,” Schneider said. “I think that should happen every year. You always want to win the World Series and I wouldn’t say it’s a failure, but we didn’t live up to expectations. Hopefully, we can next year if I’m still here. You never know in this game, but we just got to perform better.” 
Among those players who might not be back next season is Springer. Following last Sunday’s 5-1 victory over the Cincinnati Reds, Springer officially completed his six-year, $150-million contract he signed with the club in January 2021. 
During his seasons with Toronto, Springer appeared in 776 games and batted .260 with 134 home runs and 392 RBIs. The 37-year-old also had one of the biggest home runs in franchise history, when he launched a three-run home run in the 2025 American League Championship Series off Eduard Bazardo to help send the Blue Jays to the World Series. 
“He’s been awesome. Ever since I got called up in 2023, he has been the leader and person you want in the clubhouse. He’s the kind of guy you look up to with everything, whether it’s on-field or off-field stuff, he always has the answer,” Schneider said. “He’s won a World Series, World Series MVP, and he hit a homer last year that no one’s going to forget here. I’m glad I got to share the field with him.”
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