Vladimir Guerrero Jr. would have been eligible for the market for autonomous players after this campaign. Instead, it will help stabilize a window where the Blue Jays de Toronto will be competitive.
However, this will not be done without pitfalls. Indeed, Bo Bichette, Max Scherzer, Chris Bassitt, Chad Green and Erik Swanson will be free like the air this fall, while the contracts of George Springer, Kevin Gausman, Daulton Varsho and Yimi Garcia expire in 2026. Not to mention Jose Berrios who has an option of outing after the 2026 season.
It is for this reason that the Jays now want to go up a gear in their contractual negotiations. The next target of the Director General Ross Atkins?
Varsho.
No, we don't talk about bichette. That means everything.
Varsho and the Blue Jays have avoided arbitration thanks to a one -year contract worth $ 8.2 million for 2025, which represents an increase compared to the $ 5.65 million he won in 2024. He still has a year of arbitration before being able to become an autonomous player and it is now that the Jays must settle the file.
Although Varsho has experienced ups and downs in attack, its defensive has always been higher than average. The latter won a golden glove last season for his solid defense at the Center field, and if we trust the spring camp, he seems ready for a slightly more explosive season on the offensive side of the ball when he is able to return from the injured list.
The 28-year-old is currently recovering from an operation to the rotator cap and should come back to the game in mid-April.
After Atkins expressed his interest in signing a contract with Varsho this winter, Gregor Chisholm of the Toronto star reported that the Blue Jays and their foal had negotiations last year.
If Varsho is experiencing a good season offensively at the start of the campaign this year, Atkins should not let things go as he did with Vlady.
