The Blue Jays will have several players from the minor league system that will hit the open market
The Toronto Blue Jays are coming off their best season in over three decades.
The Blue Jays won their first American League pennant since 1993 and pushed the Los Angeles Dodgers to seven games in the World Series before ultimately falling 5-4 in extra innings Nov. 1.
Many of Toronto's returning players, including Vladimir Guerrero Jr. and George Springer, returning to the team in 2026. But there are questions surrounding several players, including free agent shortstop Bo Bichette.
There will also be several minor leaguers who will be looking for new homes in 2026.
MLB Trade Rumors posted a list of minor league free agents who've played in the minor leaguers for all 30 teams. According to the article, the AL pennant winners have six players hitting the open market: Eloy Jimenez, Buddy Kennedy, Elieser Hernandez, Rene Pinto and Adam Kloffenstein.
Jimenez is the biggest name among the list of free agent minor leaguers.
Jimenez, an outfielder/designated hitter who made his major league debut in 2019, signed a minor league contract with the Tampa Bay Rays on Dec. 31, 2024. He was released by the Rays on July 11 and signed by the Blue Jays to a minor league deal on Sept. 1. The 2020 Silver Slugger winner failed to make an appearance in a major league game in 2025.
Kennedy, a catcher, bounced around the Philadelphia Phillies, Toronto and Los Angeles organizations this past season. He was designated for assignment by the Phillies to begin the year but brought back on a minor league deal. He was DFA'd again June 30. The Blue Jays signed Kennedy to a minor league deal July 9 and DFA'd him Aug. 12. He was claimed off waivers by the Dodgers Aug. 15 and DFA'd again Aug. 25.
Toronto brought Kennedy back on a minor league deal Sept. 1 and he ended the season with the organization. Across the myriad of roster moves, he scored two runs in 13 games and hit a double with an RBI. He slashed .069/.156/.103 with a .259 OPS.
Hernandez, a right-handed pitcher, was signed by the Milwaukee Brewers on June 8 and designated for assignment 11 days later. He signed a minor league contract with the Blue Jays on Aug. 15. He didn't have a major league outing this year.
Pinto, a catcher, began the year with the Arizona Diamondbacks. He was released Aug. 7 and signed by Toronto to a minor league contract Sept. 1. He failed to make a major league appearance this year.
Kloffenstein, a right-handed pitcher, signed a minor league contract with the Blue Jays on Jan. 29 and spent the entire season with the organization. He didn't make a major league appearance.
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