Assistant GM and VP of baseball operations David Bell quits the Toronto Blue Jays, saying he wants to reassess where he can make the biggest impact. Bell, who joined the front office two seasons ago after a six‑year managerial stint with the Reds, oversaw player acquisitions, development and performance. The club, which surged from a last‑place finish in 2024 to a 94‑win AL East title and a World Series appearance in 2025 before slipping back to the bottom in 2026, will now look to fill his duties alongside AGMs Joe Sheehan and Michael Murov and VPs James Click and Jeremy Reesor.
The Toronto Blue Jays face significant roster turnover as several 30‑plus free agents head into the 2027 offseason. Pitcher Shane Bieber, who posted a 4.37 ERA and a career‑worst 7.11 K/9 in 2026 but struggled with control (6 walks in one inning on July 28), is unlikely to return despite a prior re‑signing. Veteran left‑hander Patrick Corbin posted a 5.51 ERA and has the league’s weakest fastball, making a major‑league deal improbable; a minor‑league contract is the only realistic scenario. Reliever Yimi García missed the entire season due to multiple injuries and a shoulder surgery, casting doubt on his health for March. The author recommends moving on from Bieber, letting Corbin go, and treating García as a long‑shot.
A new report suggests the Boston Red Sox could pull off another rare blockbuster trade with rival Baltimore Orioles this winter. After firing Alex Cora in April, Boston rebounded into a Wild Card spot, while the Orioles, despite a big offseason spend, barely avoided the bottom of the AL East thanks to a weak Blue Jays. The two clubs previously swapped All‑Star catcher Adley Rutschman before the August deadline, and now Boston eyes shortstop Gunnar Henderson. Henderson posted 24 homers, 60 RBIs and 88 runs in 2026 at age 25, but the Orioles plan to upgrade their rotation and outfield, potentially demanding pitcher Brayan Bello, outfielder Jarren Duran, and a top prospect like John Holobetz. With a Dec. 1 lockout looming, the window is closing.
Baseball America’s November 4 piece reviews ten Arizona Fall League pitchers who are shaping up as top prospects for 2027. The article notes that while the AFL isn’t a pitching showcase, it offers rehabbing arms a chance to refine pitches. Highlights include Jake Bloss (Blue Jays) battling a teres‑major strain after a rocky Tommy John comeback, Braxton Bragg (Orioles) returning from surgery with a solid 3.60 ERA over 15 innings, Joey Dixon (Astros) posting four perfect innings with 13 strikeouts after multiple elbow and shoulder surgeries, and Patrick Forbes (Diamondbacks) cutting his fastball usage and revealing a new sweeping 81‑mph curveball. Each prospect’s stats are up to Nov. 2, offering insight into health, velocity changes, and emerging secondary pitches.
The Mets Morning News roundup covers the offseason buzz around New York, from Anthony McCarron's bold predictions for the Mets and Yankees to Tim Britton and Will Sammon's take on the Mets' pitching priorities and pursuit of Japanese free agent Teruaki Sato. It notes Alec Bohm’s free‑agent status, the Yankees brushing off criticism, and the Rays’ post‑World Series letter from owner Patrick Zalupski. MLB’s new CBA proposal to phase in a salary cap and floor by 2028 sparks opposition from the MLBPA. Highlights include ESPN’s top‑50 free‑agent list, Erik Neander’s plan for Drew Rasmussen in 2027, and notable staff moves with the Mariners hiring Jason Kanzler and David Bell exiting the Blue Jays.
As free agency opens, the Orioles face a dilemma over left‑hander Trevor Rogers, whose qualifying offer expires Nov. 17. Predictions vary: MLBTradeRumors.com projects a five‑year, $115 M deal; FanGraphs sees a four‑year, $104 M contract; ESPN’s Kiley McDaniel expects four years, $76 M; The Athletic’s Jim Bowden predicts three years, $64 M. Rogers, 28, posted a 4.03 ERA in 30 starts (10‑11) in 2026 and boasts a 3.2 FanGraphs WAR, making him the second‑most coveted free agent after Tarik Skubal. Interest swirls from the Blue Jays, Cubs, Giants, White Sox, Mets, Braves, Twins and Padres, while Baltimore has offered only a qualifying deal. With a thin market, the Orioles must act fast to replace his 1.123 WHIP and low walk rates.
MLB insider Ken Rosenthal says the Toronto Blue Jays should target outfielders Seiya Suzuki and Randy Arozarena in free agency to fill the void left by George Springer’s expired contract and Daulton Varsho’s trade. Suzuki, a 32‑year‑old former Cubs slugger, posted a .270 average with 26 homers and an .841 OPS in 2026, while Arozarena brings power, speed and postseason pedigree from his time with the Rays and Mariners. With the Jays finishing last in the AL East and lacking established outfield talent, Rosenthal expects the club to be active in the market before the 2027 season.
Toronto Blue Jays assistant GM David Bell announces his resignation after two years, citing a desire to reassess his impact. Bell, who helped craft the 2025 AL pennant roster, steps down as the team finishes 2026 with a 79‑83 record, last in the AL East, and misses the playoffs following a World Series loss to the Dodgers. GM Ross Atkins blames offensive stagnation and a slump from Vladimir Guerrero Jr., who hit just nine homers. The front office now looks to revamp after a disappointing season.
Veteran left‑hander Josh Fleming is set to return to St. Louis on a minor‑league contract, according to Derrick Goold of the St. Louis Post‑Dispatch. After brief stints with Toronto and Chicago in 2026—where he logged a 4.14 ERA in three Triple‑A outings for the Blue Jays and Cubs—Fleming finished the season with Memphis, posting a 7.15 ERA, nine homers allowed in six starts. The Cardinals, whose 2026 rotation featured Michael McGreevy, Kyle Leahy, Andre Pallante, Matthew Liberatore and Dustin May, plan to keep that core for 2027, using Fleming as a depth arm in the minors.
On November 3, 2026 Pinstripe Alley honors former Yankee reliever Paul Quantrill, born Nov. 3, 1968 in Ontario. After debuting with Boston in 1992, Quantrill forged a 14‑year MLB career, most notably as a workhorse out of the Toronto bullpen (league‑leading appearances in 2001) and later with the Yankees, where he logged 86 games in 2004 and posted a 3.26 ERA before fatigue surged, culminating in a costly walk‑off home run to David Ortiz in the ALCS. He finished his stint with brief stops in San Diego and Miami, and also represented Canada internationally. The piece traces his journey from college standout to the “appearance king” and reflects on the toll of heavy usage on relievers.
The Blue Jays declined Myles Straw's $8M option with a $1.75M buyout. Toronto reshapes outfield depth for 2027 after losing Varsho and Springer.
The Cubs announce Spring Training tickets go on sale Friday, Nov. 13, with a presale for season ticket owners on Nov. 12, moving the usual January launch ahead of the looming MLB lockout (Dec. 1). The early sale aims to secure revenue before any potential game cancellations. The Cubs also release weekend passes for the Jan. 15‑17 Cubs Convention, offering panels and meet‑and‑greets—though current players may be absent if the lockout persists. Other clubs, like the Phillies, Athletics, and Blue Jays, are similarly advancing their spring ticket sales.
The Blue Jays kick off free agency by declining Myles Straw’s $8 million option, opting for a $1.75 million buyout from the Guardians. Roster rules shift to off‑season, forcing the reinstatement of several players (Berríos, Bloss, Francis, Ponce, Santander, Barger, Clase) and clearing a spot for CJ Van Eyk. With 37 players on the 40‑man roster, Toronto must protect key prospects like breakout pitcher Nolan Perry, high‑upside arm Gage Stanifer, and former 2026 riser Daniel Guerra before the Rule 5 draft. Utility candidate Josh Kasevich also earns a spot, while relievers such as Chase Lee may be cut. In a highlight, Dylan Cease earns Cy Young finalist honors after a career‑best 2.40 ERA and 35% K% in 2026.
The Toronto Blue Jays have declined the $8 million 2027 club option on outfielder Myles Straw, making him a free agent. Straw, 32, will receive a $1.75 million buyout covered by the Cleveland Guardians, who originally traded him to Toronto in January 2025. In 2026 he posted a .241/.304/.342 slash line with three homers, 26 RBI and seven steals over 330 plate appearances, a dip from his 2025 numbers. Despite a late‑season surge (.277/.348/.387), the Jays question committing to an $8 M salary for a defensively‑focused, limited‑power outfielder.
The Toronto Blue Jays decline the $8 million club option on outfielder Myles Straw, triggering a $1.75 million buyout from the Guardians per the 2025 trade. Straw, now a free agent, posted a .241/.304/.342 slash line over 330 PA in 2026 after a strong start (.277/.327/.383) and remains an elite runner and versatile defender. Toronto also reshuffled its 40‑man roster, reinstating several players from the 60‑day IL, outrighting CJ Van Eyk, and seeing Rudy Martin Jr. elect free agency. Potential suitors include the Yankees, Royals, Reds, Giants, Phillies and former club Houston.
The Cincinnati Reds claimed right‑handers Duncan Davitt and Paxton Schultz off waivers on Monday, adding two low‑cost depth arms as they near the 2027 roster deadline. Davitt, a 27‑year‑old former 18th‑round pick of the Rays with experience as a starter and reliever and a 9.4 K/9 in the minors, was taken from the Giants. Schultz, a former 14th‑round pick of the Brewers who spent five years with Toronto before moving to Washington, brings 57 innings of big‑league work. Both have remaining options, giving the Reds flexibility as they rebuild their bullpen.
The Miami Marlins claim right‑hander Cameron Weston off waivers from division rival New York Mets, according to The Athletic. Weston, drafted by the Orioles in 2022, was a top prospect (BA #13, FanGraphs #14) but saw his performance slip, posting a 7.89 ERA in Triple‑A Norfolk last season and making only one MLB appearance—a scoreless inning on May 28 versus Toronto. After a brief, strong stint with the Mets' Triple‑A Syracuse squad (1 run in 6⅓ innings, 10 K, 1 BB), the Marlins add him to the 40‑man roster, retaining two minor‑league options for flexibility.
MLB insider Ken Rosenthal says the Toronto Blue Jays could target former Cubs outfielder Seiya Suzuki in free agency. With the Jays losing George Springer and Daulton Varsho, their outfield—ranked 19th in OPS last season—needs a boost. Suzuki, 32, posted a .270 average with 26 homers and a .841 OPS in 2026, and has consistently hit 20+ home runs since 2023. Rosenthal predicts Toronto will be "in the mix" for Suzuki despite competition from other teams.
Five days after the World Series, the Blue Jays face offseason decisions on 2027 contracts. They’re unlikely to issue a $20 million qualifying offer, but must decide on Myles Straw’s $8 million player option versus a $1.75 million buyout; his speed remains elite, yet the price may be steep amid a tight luxury‑tax outlook. Free agency opens at 5 p.m. ET, though a December 1 lock‑out looms. Toronto also missed out on Gold Glove honors despite ranking second‑best defensively in MLB, with Andres Gimenez, Christian Walker, Alejandro Kirk, Brandon Valenzuela and Nathan Lukes all falling short. Dylan Cease’s strong season should land him a solid second in the Cy Young race.
The Padres announced several roster moves on Sunday, picking up the $2.5 million option on left‑hander Kyle Hart and confirming Yuki Matsui and Wandy Peralta will opt into 2027 contracts. They declined options on Nick Pivetta, Miguel Andujar, Griffin Canning and Lucas Giolito, signaling unlikely re‑signings given injury histories. Hart’s option is seen as a low‑cost bullpen boost, while Matsui could help retain star reliever Adrian Morejon amid interest from the Yankees, Mets, Blue Jays and Dodgers. The Gold Glove winners were named, leaving Ty France and Freddy Fermin off the list, and the 45‑day window opened for Japanese pitcher Teruaki Sato. Additional offseason rumors include a Giants‑Nationals trade and former Astro Brad Ausmus as a potential Houston manager.
The 2026 Major League Baseball offseason kicked into high gear this past week as front offices faced critical
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Veteran right‑hander Sonny Gray, 37, declines his Boston Red Sox option after a controversial 5th‑inning pull in the 2026 ALCS and declares he’ll pitch another year. With three All‑Star nods and a career‑best season behind him, MLB Trade Rumors lists his top free‑agent destinations: the Atlanta Braves, who have a track record with veterans like Chris Sale; the Toronto Blue Jays, looking to rebuild a rotation after losing Bieber, Scherzer and others; and the San Diego Padres, needing depth as Michael King, Nick Pivetta and Robby Ray enter free agency.
Sportsnaut outlines five potential NL Central trade targets for the 2026‑27 offseason. Catcher William Contreras, fresh off a World Series MVP performance (.373/.448/.588 slash line) and refusing a 2025 extension, could become a hot commodity despite the Brewers' usual frugality, with the Phillies, Red Sox or Yankees as likely destinations. Veteran reliever/spot starter Colin Rea, a $6.5 million 2027 contract and 4.34 ERA, may be dealt for depth, eyes on Toronto, New York or San Diego. Pirates slugger Ryan O’Hearn, coming off an 18‑HR, .770 OPS season on a $15 million 2027 salary, is a cheap one‑year rental for teams needing power, possibly moving from Pittsburgh.
Bob Nightengale reports that former Astros GM Dana Brown is rejoining the Atlanta Braves as a senior advisor for amateur scouting. Brown, 59, previously served in the Braves front office from 2019 to early 2023 before leading Houston from January 2023 until a mutual departure in August 2026. This will be his third collaboration with Braves president Alex Anthopoulos, following a stint with the Toronto Blue Jays. The move signals a return to familiar territory for the veteran executive.
Two fringe MLB players become minor‑league free agents. INF/OFF Oliver Dunn, who bounced between the White Sox, Rays and Brewers, posted a .197/.253/.275 line over 157 MLB PA and was outrighted by Tampa Bay in September, now seeks a new minor‑league deal despite being out of options. LHP Thomas Pannone, 32, made a single Brewers start on July 29 (3 runs in 3 IP) before being DFA’d; he has a career 5.43 ERA with the Blue Jays and a 4.70 ERA in 99⅔ Triple‑A innings this season after returning from flexor surgery. Both will hit free agency this offseason.