Blue Jays predicted to sign $85M former Silver Slugger finalist to boost World Series hopes

The Toronto Blue Jays finished the season without making the playoffs after a magical 2025 campaign. Injuries and other factors kept them from finding their rhythm throughout the season.

The team is hungry to do better in 2027, and it all starts with free agency. The Blue Jays were aggressive last winter, and they should be this winter, too.

"After falling inches short of a World Series ring in 2025, the Toronto Blue Jays general manager Ross Atkins was extremely aggressive in the offseason as he was able to acquire Dylan Cease, Spencer Miles, Tyler Rogers, and Kazuma Okamoto in a short span of time. But the Blue Jays fell far short in their quest for redemption, finishing last in the AL East and below .500, and missing the playoffs altogether," SI's Maddy Dickens wrote.

There are already rumors swirling that the Blue Jays are very interested in Chicago Cubs right fielder Seiya Suzuki.

"The Blue Jays didn't make the playoffs this year, so they are already in offseason mode. Mitch Bannon of The Athletic reports that the Jays are expected to pursue outfielder Seiya Suzuki when he hits free agency about a month from now," MLB Trade Rumors' Darragh McDonald wrote.

Dickens believes Toronto should sign Suzuki to help revive its World Series hopes.

"So, who should general manager Ross Atkins be looking at? Well, the best answer would be the right-handed Seiya Suzuki, who is on an expiring deal with the Chicago Cubs. One of the best aspects of Suzuki's game is that he has pop in the bat, which is something that the Jays were severely lacking this season, as only Kazuma Okamoto was able to hit more than 15 bombs. This season, Suzuki finished the year with 26 home runs and 31 doubles to complement 86 runners driven home as well as 81 drawn walks," Dickens wrote.

Suzuki could give the Blue Jays what they need in a player, as he has a powerful bat and an absolute cannon for an arm. Toronto can add talent this offseason and prove that its disappointing 2026 campaign was a fluke.

Suzuki is finishing his $85 million contract with the Cubs. The former Silver Slugger finalist would provide a valuable bat in the lineup, an area where Toronto struggled at times this season.