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By Valentina Martinez
Contributing Sports Writer
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The Toronto Blue Jays lost out on top free agent Kyle Tucker, but the latest insider prediction bodes well for the organization's chances in 2026.
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The Athletic's Ken Rosenthal believes the Blue Jays will once again be crowned American League champions next season.
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"The Jays are a strong bet to repeat as American League champions even after striking out on Tucker. They have spent more than any other team in free agency, with a combined $337 million on right-hander Dylan Cease, infielder Kazuma Okamoto, reliever Tyler Rogers and right-hander Cody Ponce. And their outfield already is in good shape, at least for 2026," Rosenthal writes.
The Blue Jays proved this season that Toronto has emerged as a free agent destination. Offseasons which were once headlined by heartbreak — Shohei Ohtani in 2023 and Roki Sasaki in 2024 (both of whom landed with the Los Angeles Dodgers) — has been rebranded by success.
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This winter told a different tale for Toronto, as the Blue Jays emerged as one of the most aggressive teams in their preparation for another deep playoff run.
Manager John Schneider noted the shift in the organization's success in free agency following their impressive seven-game performance in the World Series.
"You're on Zoom calls with high-profile players that are speaking very, very highly of the organization, the facilities, the players that are on the team and how they conduct themselves," Schneider said to ESPN. "That's been a shift. I feel like in years past, with some high-profile players, it's kind of been us selling us to them, whereas now I think the players know what they're getting into as soon as they start talking to us."
While Tucker opted to sign a four-year, $240 million deal with the defending champions, the Blue Jays are still in a strong position to return to the Fall Classic.
It was no coincidence the 2025 World Series drew an increase in viewership, with the thrilling Game 7 between Toronto and LA averaging 26 million viewers alone.
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