Baseball

Blue Jays prepare for unusual off-season with CBA expiration looming

The collective bargaining agreement expires Dec. 1, with a work stoppage expected to disrupt the winter schedule.

Tyler Brennan · Baseball Writer
October 7, 2026 · More from this writer

TORONTO · The upcoming Major League Baseball off-season will be anything but typical, with the collective bargaining agreement set to expire on Dec. 1 and a work stoppage widely expected. The Toronto Blue Jays are preparing for business as usual while bracing for the possibility of major structural changes and a disrupted calendar. General manager Ross Atkins said the team is ready to operate from day one, but acknowledges the need to prepare for multiple outcomes as the winter progresses. Until there is clarity on a new labour deal, all MLB executives must follow the current rules.

"We'll be prepared right from the start," Atkins said last week. "We're operating business as usual and ready. You're ready to go from day one. 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." The off-season begins five days after the World Series ends, when eligible players become free agents but cannot yet sign with new teams. Trades are permitted again at that point.

For the Blue Jays, prominent players including Shane Bieber, Max Scherzer, George Springer, Jameson Taillon, Yimi García, Paul Sewald, Patrick Corbin and Luis Urías will hit free agency. The team can communicate early interest to free agents from other clubs during this period, though deals cannot be finalized. Free agency officially opens five days later, with qualifying offer decisions due from teams and all players reinstated from the 60-day injured list onto 40-man rosters. The Blue Jays are not expected to issue any qualifying offers this winter. Many in the sport anticipate a hectic November, with teams pushing to sign free agents before the CBA expires. Blue Jays president Mark Shapiro indicated teams will look to improve now and adjust to any new rules later. "Any new system adopted, there will be a timeframe for adjustment into that system," Shapiro said. Qualifying offers are due from players 10 days after the start of free agency, but this is not expected to significantly impact the Blue Jays.

Teams must add Rule 5 eligible players to their 40-man roster by 6 p.m. ET on Nov. 19 or expose them to other clubs. For Toronto, utility player Jay Harry and pitchers including Nolan Perry, Gage Stanifer, Daniel Guerra and Josh Stephan are Rule 5 eligible this year, requiring some 40-man roster space. The expiring CBA adds uncertainty to this process, as the Rule 5 Draft could be cancelled if there is a lockout, as happened five years ago. Executives must prepare as if the draft will happen but may strategically protect fewer players.

The deadline to tender contracts to arbitration-eligible players is Nov. 30. The Blue Jays have eight such players: Ernie Clement, José Soriano, Josh Smith, Bowden Francis, Spencer Arrighetti, Louis Varland, Nathan Lukes and Davis Schneider. Some decisions, like tendering Varland, are straightforward, while others, like Smith, are tougher calls. This process is expected to proceed normally regardless of the CBA situation. At 11:59 p.m. ET on Dec. 1, the current CBA expires, and owners are expected to lock out the players.

A lockout would halt the off-season, as teams cannot contact players on 40-man rosters. The Blue Jays will need to ensure their entire roster has extensive workout plans in place. The annual winter meetings, scheduled for Dec. 5-8 in San Diego, are expected to be cancelled if there is a lockout. The MLB Draft Lottery, where the Blue Jays have an estimated 1.04 per cent chance at the top selection, would also be postponed until a new agreement is reached. The Rule 5 Draft, typically held during the winter meetings, would not take place as scheduled and may not occur at all.

With files from Sportsnet