With the MLB offseason underway, the business of baseball has started for the Toronto Blue Jays as we build toward 2027.

On Thursday, the Blue Jays officially saw eight players exit the 40-man roster in free agency, and those players are free to negotiate with other teams beginning at 5 p.m. ET on Nov. 2.

The Blue Jays can do the same, talk with any player who is a free agent.

But Nov. 2 also represents another deadline for Toronto. By that date, the Blue Jays have to have a decision made about whether or not to offer right-handed pitcher Shane Bieber a qualifying offer, and they also have to decide about the $8 million team option on veteran outfielder Myles Straw.

Now 31 years old, Straw was a 12th-round pick of the Houston Astros in the 2015 MLB Draft. He made his major league debut in 2018 with the Astros, establishing himself as a solid defender and runner who didn't provide any power at the plate.

He played in 196 games for the Astros over four years from 2018-21 and then was traded to the Cleveland Guardians in 2021. In parts of four years with the Guardians, he hit .240 with 56 stolen bases. He won a Gold Glove Award in 2022.

The Blue Jays acquired him before the 2025 season, basically only doing so so they could also acquire international bonus money with the hope of signing Japanese right-hander Roki Sasaki. However, Sasaki signed with the Los Angeles Dodgers and helped the Dodgers beat the Blue Jays in the World Series.

Straw was a solid contributor for the American League champion Jays, hitting .262 in 299 plate appearances with 12 stolen bases. A solid clubhouse presence and a still solid defender, he hit .241 in 2026 in 330 plate appearances. He probably played more than initially expected given the season-long injury to Anthony Santander and the mostly season-long injury to Addison Barger.

Straw actually has team options after this season ($8 million) and 2027 ($8.5 million), meaning the Jays have team control for two more years if they want it. Remember, if they decline the option, they could still try to bring him back at a lesser deal.

As of now: The Blue Jays have Santander, Barger, Yohendrick Pinango, Davis Schneider, Nathan Lukes, Straw, Jonatan Clase and Brett Bateman as outfield options.

Straw could have option declined, which would free up a spot, and Lukes has been listed as a trade candidate. We also think the Jays are interested in a right-handed hitting slugger like Seiya Suzuki.