With spring training opening up this week, we take stock of how those around the Jays did this winter.
After taking the Los Angeles Dodgers to seven games in the 2025 World Series, the Toronto Blue Jays enter 2026 as one of the favorites in the American League again.
But it certainly won't be easy. Just because Toronto got there once before, and just because they spent nearly $350 million in guaranteed dollars on free agents this offseason, doesn't mean there's not competition. And it doesn't mean there aren't questions about the roster.
So, with spring training officially here this week, let's take stock of what the teams around the Jays have done this offseason and how they can impact the road back to the World Series for the group.
Seattle Mariners
The team the Jays beat in the American League Championship Series certainly appears to be just as good, if not better, than the one that walked off the Rogers Centre field in October.
Sure, they lost Jorge Polanco to the New York Mets in free agency, but they brought back Josh Naylor on a five-year deal and added Brendan Donovan via a trade with the St. Louis Cardinals.
They also signed lefty masher Rob Refsnyder and brought in hard-throwing reliever Jose Ferrer in a trade with the Washington Nationals.
New York Yankees
The team that the Blue Jays beat in the American League Division Series hasn't made a lot of moves, but they didn't really need to. They brought back Cody Bellinger on a multi-year deal and inked Paul Goldschmidt to a one-year deal.
They also get Gerrit Cole back from Tommy John surgery and have young pitchers like Cam Schlittler that now have experience under their belt from debuting in 2025.
They did lose Luke Weaver and Devin Williams both from the bullpen, which will be a major storyline to watch in 2026.
Cody Bellinger (Vincent Carchietta-Imagn Images). Boston Red Sox
The Red Sox finished third in the American League East last season but still made the playoffs, and they appear to have gotten better in a roundabout way. They lost Alex Bregman in free agency but have leaned into pitching and defense, acquiring Sonny Gray, Johan Oviedo and Ranger Suarez for the rotation, and Caleb Durbin for the infield.
They did make one real offensive-minded move by trading for Willson Contreras.
Baltimore Orioles
The O's finished last in the division last season, but they've been active, trading for Taylor Ward from the Los Angeles Angels and signing Pete Alonso to a multi-year deal.
They still have work to do on the pitching front, but with names like Zac Gallen still available, there's still time.
Pete Alonso (Jim Rassol-Imagn Images). Notes
The Kansas City Royals have made some under-the-radar moves, acquiring Issac Collins from the Milwaukee Brewers, and the Chicago White Sox and Los Angeles Angels have both had eventful offseasons, but they don't figure to challenge the Jays in a meaningful way.
The Houston Astros, always a threat, acquired Mike Burrows from the Pittsburgh Pirates and brought in Tatsuya Imai from Japan. They can never be counted out.
JOIN THE CONVERSATION:
Remember to join our BLUE JAYS on ROUNDTABLE community, which is FREE! You can post your own thoughts, in text or video form, and you can engage with our Roundtable staff, as well as other Blue Jays fans. If prompted to download the Roundtable APP, that's free too