Blue Jays plan busy off-season despite looming labour uncertainty

TORONTO — Toronto Blue Jays general manager Ross Atkins and president Mark Shapiro said Wednesday they are preparing for a busy off-season of free-agent and trade activity, even with the threat of a lockout looming.

Speaking at Rogers Centre, the executives acknowledged the frustration of a last-place finish in the American League East but outlined plans to be aggressive in the market.

"We'll be ready to go from day one," Atkins said. "We have some work to do, but day one's not here yet. Having said that, we're always, in everything we're doing, preparing for multiple outcomes."

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Atkins expressed personal disappointment in the team's 79-83 season. "I know no one cares," he said. "I don't mean that in an insensitive way. I wouldn't care either, right?"

Shapiro said he does not expect a major change in the team's financial resources compared to 2026, when the Blue Jays had a payroll of $315 million, according to FanGraphs. "I don't anticipate there being any major fundamental change," Shapiro said. "My expectation is we'll be in a similar area of support and resources."

The departure of several high-priced veterans, including George Springer, Shane Bieber and Max Scherzer, creates significant room under the luxury tax for new acquisitions.

The Blue Jays anticipate a Rule 5 Draft this winter, meaning they will need to protect prospects like Nolan Perry and Gage Stanifer on the 40-man roster.

While the league and players' union negotiate a new collective bargaining agreement with a potential lockout date of Dec. 1, Shapiro said the team will operate under the current system. "You prepare under the current system, and then you adjust along the way," he said.

He added that any new economic rules, such as a potential salary cap pushed by owners, would likely be phased in. "I don't think any new system adopted would cause for immediate action."

Shapiro deferred to the commissioner's office on labour talks. "The process is being led by the commissioner's office," he said. "We certainly engage in that at the right times, but we'll work to adapt as a front office to any system in place."

Asked about the possibility of a work stoppage, Shapiro expressed hope for a resolution. "I know one thing," he said. "One thing prevails. The game, baseball, prevails regardless of any owner, regardless of any player, any leader, any negotiator; baseball prevails."

The Blue Jays have been linked to top free agents in recent years, including stars from Asia, and are expected to be active again this winter with players like Tarik Skubal and Seiya Suzuki available.

Garbutt Disposal reported in September that Atkins took blame for the team's last-place finish one season after reaching the World Series.

The team's baseball operations staff will spend October preparing for the off-season, which officially begins after the World Series.

With files from Sportsnet