The Toronto Blue Jays have a lot of work to do this winter.

The team finished last in the American League East with a 74-88 record thanks to an offence that finished 23rd in runs scored and a pitching staff that was dragged down by one of the worst bullpens in baseball.
If the Blue Jays are going to turn things around in 2025, at the very least, the front office will need to find a couple of backend bullpen arms and a power bat for the middle of the lineup in the off-season. Given the team&#8217;s salary commitments, that might require some creativity.
Toronto has roughly $121 million tied into Kevin Gausman, Jose Berrios, Chris Bassitt, Yariel Rodriguez, Bo Bichette, and Chad Green heading into next season. They also have ten players eligible for arbitration who are projected to earn a combined $61.85 million, <a href="https://www.mlbtraderumors.com/2024/10/projected-arbitration-salaries-for-2025.html?utm_source=twitter">according to MLB Trade Rumours</a>.
<ul>
<li>Vladimir Guerrero Jr: $29.6 million</li>
<li>Jordan Romano: $7.75 million</li>
<li>Daulton Varsho: $7.7 million</li>
<li>Alejandro Kirk: $4.1 million</li>
<li>Erik Swanson: $3.2 million</li>
<li>Genesis Cabrera: $2.5 million</li>
<li>Alek Manoah: $2.4 million</li>
<li>Dillon Tate: $1.9 million</li>
<li>Ernie Clement: $1.7 million</li>
<li>Zach Pop: $1 million</li>
</ul>
The Blue Jays have until early December to decide which of these players they will tender a contract to. Players who aren&#8217;t tendered are immediately made eligible for free agency. Those who are tendered need to come to terms on a salary with the team by mid-January. If they can&#8217;t, the two sides will go to arbitration.
The most expensive player, unsurprisingly, is Vladimir Guerrero Jr., who&#8217;s coming off arguably the best offensive season of his career. Following a slow start in April, the 25-year-old slugger finished the season with a .323/.396/.544 line over 697 plate appearances and hit 30 dingers while driving in 103 runs. This will be Vladdy&#8217;s final trip to arbitration before he can become a free agent following the 2025 season.
The following two on the list are closer Jordan Romano and outfielder Daulton Varsho, a pair of Blue Jays who dealt with injuries in 2024. Romano had elbow surgery and was limited to just 13 2/3 innings, while Varsho had shoulder surgery done late in the season and might not be ready for the start of 2025. Romano has one more year left of team control and Varsho has three.
Alek Manoah, Alejandro Kirk, and Ernie Clement are no-brainers to qualify, while relievers Erik Swanson and Genesis Cabrera will also likely be back. Zach Pop had a rough showing with increased innings this season and might be a DFA candidate. Dillon Tate, who the Blue Jays claimed off of waivers, has interesting upside but might be slightly pricey for the risk.

Toronto Blue Jays first baseman Vladimir Guerrero Jr. (27) celebrates after hitting a double in the fifth inning against the Los Angeles Angels at Angel Stadium

The Toronto Blue Jays have a lot of work to do this winter.



The team finished last in the American League East with a 74-88 record thanks to an offence that finished 23rd in runs scored and a pitching staff that was dragged down by one of the worst bullpens in baseball.

If the Blue Jays are going to turn things around in 2025, at the very least, the front office will need to find a couple of backend bullpen arms and a power bat for the middle of the lineup in the off-season. Given the team's salary commitments, that might require some creativity.

Toronto has roughly $121 million tied into Kevin Gausman, Jose Berrios, Chris Bassitt, Yariel Rodriguez, Bo Bichette, and Chad Green heading into next season. They also have ten players eligible for arbitration who are projected to earn a combined $61.85 million, <a href="https://www.mlbtraderumors.com/2024/10/projected-arbitration-salaries-for-2025.html?utm_source=twitter">according to MLB Trade Rumours</a>.
<ul>
 	<li>Vladimir Guerrero Jr: $29.6 million</li>
 	<li>Jordan Romano: $7.75 million</li>
 	<li>Daulton Varsho: $7.7 million</li>
 	<li>Alejandro Kirk: $4.1 million</li>
 	<li>Erik Swanson: $3.2 million</li>
 	<li>Genesis Cabrera: $2.5 million</li>
 	<li>Alek Manoah: $2.4 million</li>
 	<li>Dillon Tate: $1.9 million</li>
 	<li>Ernie Clement: $1.7 million</li>
 	<li>Zach Pop: $1 million</li>
</ul>
The Blue Jays have until early December to decide which of these players they will tender a contract to. Players who aren't tendered are immediately made eligible for free agency. Those who are tendered need to come to terms on a salary with the team by mid-January. If they can't, the two sides will go to arbitration.

The most expensive player, unsurprisingly, is Vladimir Guerrero Jr., who's coming off arguably the best offensive season of his career. Following a slow start in April, the 25-year-old slugger finished the season with a .323/.396/.544 line over 697 plate appearances and hit 30 dingers while driving in 103 runs. This will be Vladdy's final trip to arbitration before he can become a free agent following the 2025 season.

The following two on the list are closer Jordan Romano and outfielder Daulton Varsho, a pair of Blue Jays who dealt with injuries in 2024. Romano had elbow surgery and was limited to just 13 2/3 innings, while Varsho had shoulder surgery done late in the season and might not be ready for the start of 2025. Romano has one more year left of team control and Varsho has three.

Alek Manoah, Alejandro Kirk, and Ernie Clement are no-brainers to qualify, while relievers Erik Swanson and Genesis Cabrera will also likely be back. Zach Pop had a rough showing with increased innings this season and might be a DFA candidate. Dillon Tate, who the Blue Jays claimed off of waivers, has interesting upside but might be slightly pricey for the risk.

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