The Toronto Blue Jays are retaining one of their best defenders this offseason after tendering him a contract before Friday’s MLB arbitration deadline.
After a devastating World Series loss to the Los Angeles Dodgers, the Blue Jays have a few top players who will be testing free agency, including star shortstop Bo Bichette and Chris Bassitt. Toronto barely missed out on its first World Series victory since 1993 and will look to make roster adjustments this offseason, but the team is retaining one of its key players.
The Blue Jays will be bringing back former Gold Glove winner Daulton Varsho as he enters his last season of arbitration, according to The Athletic’s Mitch Bannon.
“Blue Jays confirm that all eligible players have been tendered contracts for the 2026 season,” Bannon wrote in a post shared to X. “That includes arb eligible guys like Daulton Varsho, Eric Lauer, Ernie Clement and Tyler Heineman.”
Varsho has excelled since being traded to the Blue Jays in December 2022. The 29-year-old began the season recovering from rotator cuff surgery, and later missed two months with a hamstring injury, but still put together a solid campaign. Varsho slashed .238/.284/.548 with 20 home runs and 55 RBIs this season and made an impact in the postseason, mashing three home runs.
It was expected that the Blue Jays would retain Varsho as he enters his final season of arbitration. The 29-year-old is estimated to make roughly $11.3 million, according to Spotrac, and is considered a key member of the Blue Jays’ core for the future. It’s positive to see Toronto bring back another member of the team that made it all the way to the World Series this season.
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