The Blue Jays are looking to advance to the American League Championship Series on Tuesday night, but when they eventually get to the offseason, it looks like they'll have some relatively light lifting to do.

The Toronto Blue Jays will have an opportunity to clinch a spot in the American League Championship Series on Tuesday night when they take on the New York Yankees in Game 3 of the American League Division Series at Yankee Stadium. 

The Blue Jays won the first two games of the series at Rogers Centre and are just one win away from the organization's first trip to the American League Championship Series since 2016.

And while the full focus of the organization is on that goal, it should be noted that the salary arbitration projections for 2026 were released on Tuesday from MLBTradeRumors. The projections are not official, but they are generally considered reliable and close.

Toronto will have generally light lifting on the arbitration front, though there are some tough decisions.

• Daulton Varsho (5.128): $9.7MM
• Eric Lauer (5.091): $4.4MM
• Dillon Tate (5.018): $1.7MM
• Nick Sandlin (4.157): $2MM
• Ernie Clement (3.168): $4.3MM
• Ryan Burr (3.109): $800K
• Tyler Heineman (3.066): $1MM

Varsho, who is an elite defensive outfielder and provides pop with the bat, would figure to be a lock to have his salary picked up. Clement should be the same, as he was a Gold Glove finalist in 2024 and provides versatility at multiple positions. Lauer is an interesting call, as he was excellent this season (9-2, 3.18 ERA), but he isn't guaranteed a starting role next season.

Perhaps the Jays could tender him a deal and then trade him? Or they could tender him a deal and then ultimately wait-and-see if they need him as a starter as the result of an injury.

As of now, Kevin Gausman, Trey Yesavage and Jose Berrios profile as starting pitchers. Max Scherzer and Chris Bassitt are free agents, and there are several interesting names on the free agent market, including potentially Shane Bieber, who has an opt-out at the end of the season.

Heineman figures to be picked up, as he is good organizational depth behind Alejandro Kirk. Burr, Sandlin and Tate are certainly coin tosses at this point. 

Anyways, those are offseason conversations, right now, the Jays are focused on winning Game 3 in New York. First pitch is set for 8:08 p.m. ET as Bieber pitches against Carlos Rodon.