While the Toronto Blue Jays’ World Series sting still sits heavy, CEO and president Mark Shapiro is not one to linger. Just days after the heartbreak, the front office is already making strides to up their game in 2026.

“They just earned an extra $50 million or so in revenue from their World Series run,” USA Today’s Bob Nightengale said about the Blue Jays. “They’ll put it right back into the team and could be the favorite for Kyle Tucker.”

Notably, this comes just days after ESPN insider Jeff Passan had demanded the same.

“After trying in free agency for Shohei Ohtani, Juan Soto and Yoshinobu Yamamoto with no luck in recent years, this is precisely the time for the Blue Jays to make the biggest move of the winter by giving Vladimir Guerrero Jr. his left-handed complement,” he said. “Sign free agent outfielder Kyle Tucker.”

Tucker had a bit of an off year in 2025 due to injury. He somehow still managed 22 homers, .841 OPS, 73 RBIs, and 25 stolen bases over 136 games. In fact, Tucker won the NL Silver Slugger Award just last week, indicating why he’s such an attractive option for Toronto and multiple other teams.

Imagine a lineup featuring both Tucker and Vladimir Guerrero Jr., arguably the best offensive duo in the game. And it’s not just hype—analysts expect Toronto’s offensive projections to spike significantly as reflected in MLB betting lines, which often adjust based on roster upgrades and star-level acquisitions. While that’s a great prospect, teams like the Chicago Cubs, Los Angeles Dodgers, New York Yankees, San Francisco Giants, the Philadelphia Phillies and the New York Mets have also found themselves in the same conversation.

So, it’s still early to be sure. The Tucker sweepstakes likely won’t be resolved until at least December’s Winter Meetings. He will cost the Jays nearly $400 million, but the Blue Jays won’t be financially holding back this time, not even when it comes to re-signing Bo Bichette, who will cost them somewhere around $186 million.

The two top free agents, who could cost Toronto a whopping $568 million, might be the key to upgrading much of their outfield and shortstop positions.

SPORTS-BBN-SULLIVAN-COLUMN-TB The Chicago Cubs Kyle Tucker, left, is congratulated after hitting a two-run home run in the eighth inning against the Arizona Diamondbacks at Wrigley Field on Friday, April 18, 2025, in Chicago. Chris Sweda/Chicago Tribune/TNS Chicago IL USA EDITORIAL USE ONLY Copyright: xx 140338943W ChrisxSwedax krtphotoslive952373Bichette, who was expected to leave Toronto a year ago and whose name surfaced in trade talks, is now likely to stay to finish what feels like a goodwill tour. At just 27, Bichette is already a two-time All-Star and has led the American League in hits twice.

Shortstops like him don’t come around often. He’s a homegrown star for Toronto, drafted in the second round of the 2016 MLB Draft. The Blue Jays have been fortunate to have him. According to Nightengale, the expectation is for Bichette to stay in Toronto.

The latest update from Nightengale makes the Blue Jays a team all clubs will keep an eye on.

Blue Jays to also bring in 29-year-old ace

Last weekend, Sportsnet’s Ben Nicholson-Smith shared a column ahead of what could be a major offseason for the Blue Jays. He expects the team to be linked to big-name free agents, including top-tier starting pitchers, with Dylan Cease highlighted as a potential target.

“In a sense, the Blue Jays have already started their off-season shopping by locking up Vladimir Guerrero Jr. to a $500 million deal that keeps him off the open market and securing Shane Bieber for 2026,” Smith noted.

History suggests the Blue Jays will keep pursuing big names, starting with Bo Bichette. They’re also expected to show interest in Kyle Tucker, the top position player available, as well as the three top starting pitchers: Framber Valdez, Dylan Cease, and Ranger Suarez.

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For the record, Cease and Suarez are clients of agent Scott Boras. Boras has previously worked with Atkins on deals for stars such as Max Scherzer, Yusei Kikuchi, and Hyun-Jin Ryu.

Of the pitchers mentioned, Dylan Cease is arguably the most intriguing. At 29, he’s younger than both Valdez and Suarez. While his 2025 ERA of 4.55 wasn’t impressive, his 3.56 FIP suggests he was unlucky at times.

Cease is exactly the type of guy who could take the Blue Jays’ rotation to another level and get the club back to the World Series contention.