Jays having championship-style off-season

January 12 2026

Key points from this story:

• Toronto hopes to resign Bo Bichette
• Bichette exploring free-agent opportunities
• Kyle Tucker played for Cubs last year
• Tucker hit 22 homers in 2025
• Blue Jays pursuing another slugger
• Cam Hutchinson pointed out error

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Last Mountain TimesBruce Penton

Mid-January is not normally the time of year for baseball-related sports columns, but what the Toronto Blue Jays are doing this off-season can't wait for spring.

The Jays, owned by Rogers, made truckloads of money in 2025 when the team went all the way to the World Series, falling one game short against Los Angeles Dodgers. Rather than stuffing all that loot in a storage room at company headquarters on Bloor Street, the owners have authorized the use of that excess dough to make manager John Schneider's team even more powerful in 2026.

Expectations will be high when the 162-game regular season begins in late March, and why not? The Jays have bolstered their starting pitching corps, added a major slugger to their lineup and signed a relief pitcher who might just be a real closer. (Memories of Jeff Hoffman, he of the seven blown saves in 2025, second-most in the American League, won't be long forgotten.)