Earlier this week, we tried to project how much money the Jays would have to spend this offseason. Well, we have a better idea now based on projected arbitration spending.
Earlier this week, we tried to outline what the payroll situation is for the Toronto Blue Jays heading into the offseason, and ultimately, the 2027 season.
Of course, no matter how much we estimate things, nothing will be officially known until we figure out what the next Collective Bargaining Agreement looks like. Whether or not there will be a salary cap and a salary floor is a huge determinant in what the Jays can ultimately do over the winter.
However, while we don't know yet what the ultimate budget will be, we do know that several Blue Jays players are in line for raises via the arbitration system. Of course, the system itself could also change via the labor agreement, and the dates of hearings in 2027 are unknown until the labor situation is resolved.
As projected by MLBTradeRumors, there are eight players projected to get raises.
Those players are Ernie Clement, Jose Soriano, Josh Smith, Bowden Francis, Spencer Arrighetti, Louis Varland, Nathan Lukes and Davis Schneider.
MLBTradeRumors projections are just projections, but they are generally close. If the Blue Jays do not want to pay the ultimate arbitration number, they can non-tender any of the players above.
Clement is projected to make $7.6 million while Soriano is at $5.6. Smith is $3.7 million, Arighetti is $1.9 million and Francis is $1.3. Varland is $3.8 and Lukes is $2.9 while Schneider $1.3.
Toronto Blue Jays second baseman Ernie Clement (22) reacts after throwing out Detroit Tigers catcher Eduardo Valencia (not shown) in the second inning at Rogers Centre. Dan Hamilton-Imagn ImagesAs of this moment, it seems likely that each of these players will get tendered a contract for 2027, but there is at least a chance that the team could non-tender Clement and/or Lukes.
We'll have a full recap as to why soon, but the Jays already indicated this week that Clement will have to work to prove he's an everyday starter again in 2027. If the team is ready to relegate him to the bench, perhaps they don't feel too keen on paying him nearly $8 million. Lukes is a valuable piece of the roster, but with Addison Barger and Brett Bateman also being left-handed, perhaps they want to open up an outfield spot for a right-handed hitting outfielder, which is something we've talked a lot about over the last few days.
We already know that the Blue Jays will be looking at free agent Seiya Suzuki this offseason. He's been with the Chicago Cubs since coming over from Japan. He hit 26 homers this season.
