The Toronto Blue Jays were hoping their 2026 season would extend much deeper into October, but an underwhelming campaign has instead forced the organization into an early offseason.
With the team now turning its attention toward 2027, changes to the roster are expected, and the starting rotation could become one of the biggest areas of focus.
Toronto has several decisions to make regarding its pitching staff, including what to do with veteran right-hander José Berríos. Once viewed as one of the more dependable starters in the Blue Jays’ rotation, Berríos saw his 2026 season derailed by Tommy John surgery.
His injury creates uncertainty heading into next season, but if he is able to return during the early portion of 2027, Toronto could potentially explore whether another club would be willing to take on his contract.
Berríos remains under a seven-year, $131 million contract, which gives the Blue Jays another important factor to consider as they evaluate their roster.
Trading a pitcher coming off Tommy John surgery would obviously carry considerable risk, particularly because his value on the trade market is unlikely to be anywhere near what it was before the injury. Still, Toronto could decide that moving the contract and creating additional flexibility is worth exploring.
The New York Mets immediately stand out as a team that could have reason to investigate the possibility. New York is expected to be searching for reliable starting pitching, and a healthy Berríos could potentially provide the type of experienced depth the Mets need.
There would be obvious concerns surrounding his recovery, but a pitching-hungry team could ultimately decide that the potential reward outweighs the risk.
Before his injury, Berríos had established himself as a durable presence in the rotation and had consistently been linked to trade speculation throughout his career. He had made at least 30 starts in five consecutive seasons before Tommy John surgery interrupted that streak in 2026.
During the 2025 campaign, when Toronto advanced all the way to the World Series, Berríos made 30 starts and finished with a 4.17 ERA. Those numbers may not represent the dominant version of the pitcher Toronto originally signed, but his experience, durability and established track record could still make him attractive to teams searching for a back-end starter.
Berríos is also a two-time All-Star and spent the previous five seasons with the Blue Jays after beginning his career with the Minnesota Twins. That résumé could give another organization enough confidence to take a chance on him once he is cleared to return.
Over the course of his 11-year Major League career, Berríos has accumulated 273 starts and owns a 4.08 career ERA while recording 1,481 strikeouts across 1,571.2 innings. Those numbers illustrate why his situation will be worth monitoring throughout the offseason.
Toronto may not ultimately trade him, and the Mets or another potential suitor could remain cautious because of the surgery and remaining contract obligations. However, the Blue Jays have every reason to examine their options as they attempt to reshape a pitching staff that did not meet expectations in 2026.
If the organization believes Berríos no longer fits comfortably into its long-term rotation plans, he could emerge as an expendable piece. The coming months should reveal whether Toronto chooses to hold onto the veteran and wait for his comeback or explores a potentially difficult trade that could give the club more flexibility heading into 2027.
