Springer will become a free agent at the end of the season, and it's unclear what's next for him or the organization.
Prior to the 2021 season, outfielder George Springer signed a six-year, $150 million deal with the Toronto Blue Jays. His signing was supposed to represent the Jays' ascent back to real relevance in the American League.
It wasn't just him, of course, as the team also signed players like Hyun-Jin Ryu (2020) and Kevin Gausman (2022) around Springer's arrival, but his signing was the big domino that showed the Blue Jays were ready to contend again.
On Sunday, as the Blue Jays finish out a disappointing 2026 season against the Cincinnati Reds, Springer will potentially play his final game in a Blue Jays uniform, that six-year contract now complete.
Speaking with reporter Lindsay Dunn on the field at Rogers Centre recently, Springer expressed his thanks and gratitude to Blue Jays fans, saying that he's loved playing for them. "There's not enough words that I can say to say thank you for embracing me through the good and the bad. We've had a lot of great moments together and I just want to say thank you..."
He said he loves Blue Jays fans and continued to reiterate his gratitude. His playing future is uncertain, and he said he will talk about that future with his family. There is certainly a chance that Springer could retire at the conclusion of this season.
Springer's time with the Blue Jays
After an incredible seven-year run with the Houston Astros, Springer has had a pretty special six years with Toronto as well. In those six years, he's hit .260 with 134 home runs and 134 doubles. He's also brought in 392 runs. He's hit 20 homers or more in four of his six seasons with the Jays and even blasted 32 in 2025 as the team got to the World Series.
He made the All-Star team in 2022 and helped the Blue Jays reach the playoffs three times (2022, 2023 and 2025). His home run in Game 7 of the American League Championship Series is one of the biggest hits in franchise history. That win over the Seattle Mariners sent them to the World Series.
Is there a future with the Blue Jays?
If Springer wants to continue playing, there is always a chance he could return to Toronto in free agency. My early indication is no, because Anthony Santander is best suited to be the team's designated hitter moving forward. But as we've seen in 2026, you can never have enough backup plans and you can never have enough depth.
There's always a chance for Springer if he wants it. He's 37 years old. He's hit .248 with 15 homers heading into Sunday.
