The Toronto Blue Jays made the expected decision on Monday morning, finalizing a five-year contract extension with general manager Ross Atkins.

After winning the American League pennant and getting to the World Series in 2025, a new deal was almost a lock, but it's officially done just days before the start of the 2026 season.

Atkins said he was incredibly grateful for the opportunity to continue to lead Toronto, and it's certainly well earned.

The 2025 Blue Jays won the American League East and were boosted by moves that Atkins made, including signing Max Scherzer in the offseason leading into the season. He also brought in swing arm Eric Lauer and traded for valuable relievers Seranthony Dominguez and Louis Varland. Jeff Hoffman played an integral role in the bullpen as well, serving as the team's closer. He was signed prior to the start of the season as well.

Furthermore, the Blue Jays were able to overcome a major injury to Anthony Santander because of some of the depth that Atkins had built in the organization, including Addison Barger, who was drafted in 2018.

Finally, Atkins got the long-awaited extension with Vladimir Guerrero Jr. done, which will keep him in Toronto for possibly the rest of his career.

Atkins has been the Jays GM since the 2016 season and his success isn't only recent. He helped the Blue Jays to the American League Championship Series in 2016 and then built playoff rosters in 2020, 2022, 2023 and 2025.

This offseason he was quite active, signing Dylan Cease, Cody Ponce, Tyler Rogers and Kazuma Okamoto to multi-year deals. He also traded for outfielder Jesus Sanchez in a move with the Houston Astros. The Blue Jays are expected to be one of the favorites in the American League again and will enter the year with one of the most potent offenses in the sport.

The roster isn't finalized yet, but will be soon with Opening Day coming on Friday. There are still questions about the final bullpen spots and the final spot on the bench. The Blue Jays will play the Athletics on Friday night at 7:07 p.m. ET.

We know that Kevin Gausman will start that game against A's righty Luis Severino. Cease will follow in game two and Lauer in game three. Ponce will open up the second series of the year against the Rockies while Scherzer takes the ball in game five.

Despite a solid run at the World Baseball Classic, right-hander Yariel Rodriguez will not make the roster. He will begin in Triple-A.

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