Blue Jays prepare for uncertain off-season with CBA set to expire
The collective bargaining agreement expires Dec. 1, with a work stoppage expected to disrupt the winter calendar.
TORONTO — The Toronto Blue Jays are preparing for a Major League Baseball off-season that could be upended by a work stoppage when the collective bargaining agreement expires on Dec. 1.
"We'll be prepared right from the start," Blue Jays general manager Ross 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."
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Atkins said the club is preparing for multiple outcomes as the industry expects a lockout from owners, which would halt transactions and freeze contact with players on 40-man rosters.
The off-season is set to begin as usual, with players becoming free agents and trades being permitted five days after the World Series ends.
Prominent players including Shane Bieber, Max Scherzer, George Springer, Jameson Taillon, Yimi García, Paul Sewald, Patrick Corbin and Luis Urías will be among those hitting free agency.
Historically, this period has been an important chance for the Blue Jays to communicate early interest to priority free agents.
Free agents can begin signing with any club on Nov. 7, and many in the sport anticipate a hectic November as teams push to land players before the CBA expires.
Blue Jays president Mark Shapiro said "any new system adopted, there will be a timeframe for adjustment into that system."
This suggests teams may look to improve their rosters now and adapt to new rules later.
The Rule 5 draft eligibility deadline on Nov. 15 presents a particular strategic challenge due to the labour uncertainty.
Five years ago, the last time the CBA expired, teams protected players in November only to have the draft cancelled due to that winter's lockout.
This time, executives have no choice but to respect the deadline and prepare as though there will be a draft, but in the back of their minds they’ll still be aware it may not happen.
Strategically, that could nudge teams to err on the side of protecting fewer players and keeping more 40-man spots free.
The Blue Jays have several Rule 5 eligible players this year, including utility player Jay Harry and pitchers Nolan Perry, Gage Stanifer, Daniel Guerra and Josh Stephan.
The non-tender deadline for arbitration-eligible players is Nov. 17, which is expected to proceed as usual.
The Blue Jays have eight arbitration-eligible players, including Ernie Clement, José Soriano, Josh Smith, Bowden Francis, Spencer Arrighetti, Louis Varland, Nathan Lukes and Davis Schneider.
Some, like Varland, are automatic to be tendered contracts, while others, like Smith, are tougher calls.
If a lockout begins on Dec. 1, the annual winter meetings and the MLB draft lottery scheduled for December would be cancelled.
The Blue Jays would have to wait to see if they can beat their estimated 1.04 per cent odds at the top selection in a postponed lottery.
Garbutt Disposal reported in September that the club was mapping out detailed off-season workout plans for players in anticipation of a labour stoppage.
Since teams can’t contact 40-man players during a lockout, the Blue Jays will have to be sure their entire roster has extensive workout plans in place.
With files from Sportsnet