The Blue Jays came woefully close to a World Series title this year, so it’s obvious their goal next year is to finish the job. That begins in the offseason, when they find loopholes and vacant spots on their roster and fill them with capable players. While most of the noise has been about getting Kyle Tucker and re-signing Bo Bichette, the team has announced an update on the other side of the hubbub.

“Blue Jays confirm that all eligible players have been tendered contracts for the 2026 season. That includes arb-eligible guys like Daulton Varsho, Eric Lauer, Ernie Clement, and Tyler Heineman,” Toronto insider Mitch Bannon shared via X.

While the priority remains on bringing back Bo Bichette, he has reportedly denied the Blue Jays’ qualifying offer worth $22.025 million for 2026. On the other hand, Tucker is seeking a longer contract, which will come at the cost of $400 million to Toronto. So, while the team still decides on its key pieces, it has made moves on its arbitrary players by tendering contracts.

This move means the team will retain the player for the upcoming season instead of letting him enter free agency. The step is usually taken when a team values the player but also needs to secure its roster flexibility. The Jays have until January 9 to negotiate deals with each of them.

Here’s a breakdown of what each player might earn:

• Varsho is projected to secure around $9.7 million,
• Lauer at $4.4 million, Clement at $4.3 million,
• Heineman at $1 million,
• Clement could secure $3.5 million

And the bigger question, of course, is how each of these guys fits into Toronto’s 2026 vision…

Clement certainly helped his case and became a fan favorite with a breakout performance in the 2025 postseason. He sets the record for most hits in a single postseason (30) and earns his second straight Gold Glove finalist nod at third base.

The elite defender, Varsho, chipped in 20 HRs in just 71 games, driving in 55 with a .238 average, playing in 71 games after recovering from shoulder surgery at the end of 2024. Lefty, Lauer, made 15 starts out of 28 appearances, posted a 3.18 ERA, and proved to be a steady arm. And now that Scherzer’s gone, the Jays will be leaning on him even more.

The 34-year-old Heineman serves as a backup to All-Star Alejandro Kirk. The six-year veteran hit .289 this season in 61 games. He had three homers, 20 RBIs, and a .361 on-base percentage, serving as a good lineup addition.

That said, the Jays have also made some moves to solidify their real strength heading into 2026: their core. The biggest one is locking Vladimir Guerrero Jr. with a massive 14-year, $500 million extension.

For the time being, the Blue Jays are building real depth and keeping the support cast intact. It’s the kind of foundation they’ll need if they want to take another serious run next year. But the spotlight remains on the big-name targets.

The Blue Jays seem to be working around Bichette and Tucker

While the Blue Jays are considered front-runners to land either Bichette or Tucker, they’re not putting all of their eggs in one basket. For instance, when Bichette turned down Toronto’s $22 million qualifying offer, it opened the door for other possibilities. ESPN’s Jorge Castillo floated Pete Alonso as a potential fit for Toronto’s 2026 lineup.

Notably, Alonso has spent his entire seven-year career with the Mets, hitting .253 and smashing 264 HRs. So, he’d definitely bring the kind of power the Jays could use for another World Series run in 2026. Even though replacing Guerrero at first base wouldn’t be easy, Alonso’s name being in the mix shows the Jays aren’t locking themselves into one plan.

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And the same goes for Kyle Tucker, as reportedly, Toronto is also in on Cody Bellinger if Tucker slips away. Blue Jays president Mark Shapiro has already said, “We’ll use that disappointment as fuel for what comes next.” And they’re taking real steps to make that promise mean something.