The dust has finally settled. Well, mostly.
If you’ve been refreshing your feed every ten minutes since the World Series ended, you know the Toronto Blue Jays front office hasn't exactly been sleeping. They’re aggressive. Honestly, after coming within a few outs of a ring last year against the Dodgers, they had to be. This isn't the "rebuilding" roster from three years ago. It’s a $280 million-plus behemoth.
But looking at the blue jays 40 man roster right now, things feel... crowded. Almost uncomfortably so.
We’ve got a superstar first baseman locked up until he’s basically a grandfather, a Japanese slugger finally crossing the pond, and a pitching staff that looks like a fantasy baseball fever dream. Yet, there's this weird tension. Every time the Jays sign a new arm, a young guy like Joey Loperfido or Nathan Lukes loses a little more sleep.
The $500 Million Anchor and the New Faces
Everything starts with Vladdy. Seeing Vladimir Guerrero Jr. signed to a 14-year, $500 million contract is still a bit surreal for Jays fans who remember the lean years. He’s the undisputed king of the clubhouse. But the 40-man roster is about more than just the stars. It’s about how you fit the new pieces like Kazuma Okamoto into the puzzle.
📖 Related: Who Won the Belmont Stakes: The Story Behind Sovereignty's Dominant Run
Okamoto is the big "what if" for 2026. Toronto dropped $60 million over four years to bring the former Yomiuri Giants star to the 6ix. He’s projected to handle third base, which basically shoves Addison Barger and Ernie Clement into a "utility-off" during Spring Training.
And then there’s the pitching.
Ross Atkins didn't just nibble at the edges of the free-agent market. He went for the juggernaut. Dylan Cease is here on a massive seven-year deal. Shane Bieber exercised his player option to stay. When you add Kevin Gausman and José Berríos to that mix, you suddenly have a rotation that costs more than some entire MLB franchises.
Why the Blue Jays 40 man roster is a logjam
The math just doesn't work for everyone. You have 40 spots, but you only have 26 active chairs when the music stops on Opening Day.
Right now, the outfield is a complete mess—in a good way, but also a stressful way. Daulton Varsho is a lock in center. George Springer is basically the permanent DH at this stage of his career. Anthony Santander, fresh off his $92.5 million deal, is taking one of the corners.
✨ Don't miss: NFL Games Week 16: Why the Playoff Picture Just Got Messy
That leaves:
- Nathan Lukes: Who actually had a sneaky-good 2025.
- Jonatan Clase: Who is out of options. (This is huge. If they try to send him down, he’s gone.)
- Joey Loperfido: The fan favorite who hit .333 in a small sample but can’t seem to find a permanent home.
- Myles Straw: The defensive wizard they just traded for.
You can't keep them all. You just can't.
Honestly, it feels like a trade is brewing. You don't keep a guy like Loperfido in Triple-A Buffalo just to "save" him for a rainy day. Not when his value is this high. Rumors are already swirling that Berríos might be on the move too. It sounds crazy to trade a guy like Berríos, but with Cody Ponce and Trey Yesavage (the kid is "untouchable" according to most insiders) pushing for starts, Berríos and his $18 million salary might be the odd man out to clear luxury tax space.
The Bullpen Revolution
If you think the rotation is set, look at the relief corps. The Jays brought back Yimi García on a two-year deal and snagged Jeff Hoffman for $33 million to shut the door in the 9th.
📖 Related: André Pierre Gignac Stats: Why the Frenchman Is Still King of Mexico
But the real drama is at the bottom of the list.
The Rule 5 draft added Spencer Miles and Angel Bastardo to the blue jays 40 man roster. Because they're Rule 5 picks, they have to stay on the active roster all year or be offered back to their old teams. This puts huge pressure on guys like Brendon Little and Mason Fluharty. One bad week in Dunedin this March, and they’re looking at a bus ride to Buffalo or a waiver claim from the Pirates.
Misconceptions about the "Locks"
People think the 40-man is static. It’s not. It’s a living, breathing organism that eats players who don't have "options."
Take Davis Schneider. Everyone loves the mustache. But if he struggles in Spring Training, the Jays have the luxury of sending him down because he still has minor league options. A guy like Jonatan Clase doesn't have that luxury. If the Jays want to keep Clase’s speed in the organization, he must be on the 26-man roster. This business side of baseball is why good players get cut or traded for "cash considerations" every single January.
What actually happens next?
The front office is currently hovering around a $282 million payroll. That is deep into the "luxury tax" penalty zone.
If they want to make one more big splash—maybe bringing back Bo Bichette on a long-term extension—they have to shed weight. Watch the waiver wire. You’ll see names like Leo Jiménez or maybe even a veteran reliever get DFA’d (Designated for Assignment) just to make room for a late-February bargain signing.
Actionable Insights for the 2026 Season:
- Watch the Options: Keep a close eye on Jonatan Clase and any pitchers without minor league options. They are the most likely to be traded before the team leaves Florida.
- Berríos Watch: If a team needs a "steady" starter and the Jays want to duck under a tax threshold, Berríos is the name to monitor in trade talks.
- The Rookie Factor: Trey Yesavage is the real deal. He might start in the minors to manipulate service time, but he’ll be on the 40-man the second an injury hits the rotation.
- Okamoto’s Transition: Third base is his to lose, but if the power doesn't translate from Japan immediately, expect Ernie Clement to see way more starts than the $60 million contract would suggest.
The blue jays 40 man roster is built for a World Series run, but the internal competition is going to be brutal. It’s a "good problem to have," unless you’re the 40th man on that list.