Ian Hunter
@bluejayhunter.com
Writing, talking, living and breathing the Toronto Blue Jays since 2007. Contributor at Blue Jays Nation.
January is usually devoid of transactions, but the Blue Jays went big by signing Kazuma Okamoto.
And yet, he wasn't the biggest January free agent signing of this regime.
And yet, he wasn't the biggest January free agent signing of this regime.
The top January free agent signings by Blue Jays GM Ross Atkins
<p>The month of January usually feels like a dead zone for baseball transactions, but with a good number of free agents still on the board, it could be an unusually active first month of the calendar ...
bluejaysnation.com
January 6, 2026 at 9:46 PM
January is usually devoid of transactions, but the Blue Jays went big by signing Kazuma Okamoto.
And yet, he wasn't the biggest January free agent signing of this regime.
And yet, he wasn't the biggest January free agent signing of this regime.
I would definitely go for a tater themed food item at the dome, this needs to happen!
December 19, 2025 at 9:32 PM
I would definitely go for a tater themed food item at the dome, this needs to happen!
It's the end of the year, but that doesn't mean it's the end of transaction season. These were the biggest late-year moves made by the Blue Jays in franchise history.
The biggest late-year moves by the Blue Jays in franchise history
<p>There was once a time when the offseason truly meant that MLB executives and players took several months “off” from work, but that’s no longer. The latest example in Blue Jays lan...
bluejaysnation.com
December 19, 2025 at 3:58 PM
It's the end of the year, but that doesn't mean it's the end of transaction season. These were the biggest late-year moves made by the Blue Jays in franchise history.
It goes without saying, but the Blue Jays need tangible contributions from Anthony Santander in 2026.
The Blue Jays need a bounceback campaign from Anthony Santander in 2026
<p>What if I told you the Blue Jays had a Kyle Schwarber/Pete Alonso-esque deal under their nose for a 40-plus home run hitter that required little effort to pull off? Yes, this is your bi-monthly rem...
bluejaysnation.com
December 18, 2025 at 4:29 PM
It goes without saying, but the Blue Jays need tangible contributions from Anthony Santander in 2026.
The Blue Jays have a surplus of starting pitching depth. But if history has taught us anything, it's that you can never have too much starting pitching.
They should clutch onto their starters for dear life.
They should clutch onto their starters for dear life.
The Blue Jays should clutch onto their starting pitching depth
<p>For the first time in a long time, the Toronto Blue Jays have some serious starting pitching depth. After reportedly signing Cody Ponce to a three-year, $30 million contract earlier this week, the ...
bluejaysnation.com
December 5, 2025 at 2:03 PM
The Blue Jays have a surplus of starting pitching depth. But if history has taught us anything, it's that you can never have too much starting pitching.
They should clutch onto their starters for dear life.
They should clutch onto their starters for dear life.
With the addition of Cody Ponce, the Blue Jays have the 6th best projected starting rotation in 2026 (via @fangraphs.com).
December 3, 2025 at 1:18 PM
With the addition of Cody Ponce, the Blue Jays have the 6th best projected starting rotation in 2026 (via @fangraphs.com).
Slightly lower xFIP in the second half (4.67 in first half, 4.46 in second). Not the sexiest numbers, but I'd take that for a 4th/5th starter over Bowden Francis/Eric Lauer just in case.
November 22, 2025 at 9:55 PM
Slightly lower xFIP in the second half (4.67 in first half, 4.46 in second). Not the sexiest numbers, but I'd take that for a 4th/5th starter over Bowden Francis/Eric Lauer just in case.
Why not sign Justin Verlander to fill the veteran starter spot in the Blue Jays starting rotation?
Blue Jays 2025 free agent target: Justin Verlander
<p>If 2025 taught us anything, it’s that you should never underestimate the guile of a wily veteran. Although Max Scherzer’s tenure with the Blue Jays got off to a rocky start, he pitched ...
bluejaysnation.com
November 22, 2025 at 5:00 PM
Why not sign Justin Verlander to fill the veteran starter spot in the Blue Jays starting rotation?
The Blue Jays need to double down on improving their bullpen again this offseason. One potential target - Pete Fairbanks.
Blue Jays 2025 free agent target: Pete Fairbanks
<p>Is a team ever truly satisfied with its bullpen? The Los Angeles Dodgers tried their best last offseason to assemble a super bullpen by signing Tanner Scott, Kirby Yates and bringing back Blake Tre...
bluejaysnation.com
November 21, 2025 at 6:04 PM
The Blue Jays need to double down on improving their bullpen again this offseason. One potential target - Pete Fairbanks.
Mason Fluharty and Braydon Fisher gave the Blue Jays a combined 1.5 bWAR and 1.0 fWAR this past season.
Their rookie campaigns will partially determine how the Blue Jays approach their bullpen construction this offseason. bluejaysnation.com/news/the-eme...
Their rookie campaigns will partially determine how the Blue Jays approach their bullpen construction this offseason. bluejaysnation.com/news/the-eme...
The emergences of Fluharty and Fisher will shape the Blue Jays’ bullpen in 2026
<p>For the first time in several seasons, the Toronto Blue Jays’ bullpen is in a decent place. With only one pending free agent in Seranthony Dominguez, the majority of their bullpen will likely...
bluejaysnation.com
November 16, 2025 at 4:50 PM
Mason Fluharty and Braydon Fisher gave the Blue Jays a combined 1.5 bWAR and 1.0 fWAR this past season.
Their rookie campaigns will partially determine how the Blue Jays approach their bullpen construction this offseason. bluejaysnation.com/news/the-eme...
Their rookie campaigns will partially determine how the Blue Jays approach their bullpen construction this offseason. bluejaysnation.com/news/the-eme...
Sure, signing Kyle Tucker would be nice. But what if the Blue Jays went after Cody Bellinger for a fraction of the price instead?
Blue Jays 2025 free agent target: Cody Bellinger
<p>It’s a buyer’s market for everyday outfielders, according to Jon Morosi, although, isn’t it always a buyer’s market? Next winter might actually be the rare instance when the...
bluejaysnation.com
November 14, 2025 at 8:47 PM
Sure, signing Kyle Tucker would be nice. But what if the Blue Jays went after Cody Bellinger for a fraction of the price instead?
Looks like he's gone now (from Mitch Bannon at The Athletic). x.com/MitchBannon/...
Thanks for the kind words! It was a fun run this year, way more entertaining than last season!
Thanks for the kind words! It was a fun run this year, way more entertaining than last season!
Mitch Bannon on X: "Some #BlueJays news: Jays are losing assistant hitting coach Hunter Mense, per multiple sources. He’s taking a hitting coach job with the SF Giants, reuniting with Tony Vitello. Mense had been on the Jays’ big league staff since 2022. Leaves another hole on their staff" / X
Some #BlueJays news: Jays are losing assistant hitting coach Hunter Mense, per multiple sources. He’s taking a hitting coach job with the SF Giants, reuniting with Tony Vitello. Mense had been on the Jays’ big league staff since 2022. Leaves another hole on their staff
x.com
November 12, 2025 at 7:23 PM
Looks like he's gone now (from Mitch Bannon at The Athletic). x.com/MitchBannon/...
Thanks for the kind words! It was a fun run this year, way more entertaining than last season!
Thanks for the kind words! It was a fun run this year, way more entertaining than last season!
If the Blue Jays move on from Bo Bichette, making a play for free agent infielder Jorge Polanco could be the answer.
Blue Jays 2025 MLB free agent target: Jorge Polanco
<p>Recreating the magic of a run to Game 7 of the World Series is never easy, but this is the task Blue Jays GM Ross Atkins faces this offseason. How do you improve a roster that came within two outs ...
bluejaysnation.com
November 11, 2025 at 5:22 PM
If the Blue Jays move on from Bo Bichette, making a play for free agent infielder Jorge Polanco could be the answer.
Let's dive into what a Bo Bichette contract extension might look like from the Blue Jays.
What would a Bo Bichette contract extension look like?
<p>Without question, the biggest question looming over the Toronto Blue Jays in the short term is whether they can re-sign their shortstop, Bo Bichette. They extended him a qualifying offer, but that&...
bluejaysnation.com
November 7, 2025 at 6:18 PM
Let's dive into what a Bo Bichette contract extension might look like from the Blue Jays.
The Blue Jays lucked out with the Max Scherzer signing panning out fairly well this year. Who should be the next veteran starter on their wish list?
Where do the Blue Jays find their next Max Scherzer?
<p>The dust has barely settled on the World Series, but one benefit of being a team like the Blue Jays is that there isn’t much downtime between the end of the season and the offseason. Once the...
bluejaysnation.com
November 5, 2025 at 5:40 PM
The Blue Jays lucked out with the Max Scherzer signing panning out fairly well this year. Who should be the next veteran starter on their wish list?
The 2025 Blue Jays made us believe. They have everything to be proud of.
The Blue Jays captivated a fan base and have everything to be proud of
<p>Heartbreaking, devastating, soul-crushing; all those phrases describe how Game 7 of the World Series ended for the Toronto Blue Jays. You could not get much closer to winning it all than the Blue J...
bluejaysnation.com
November 2, 2025 at 6:05 PM
The 2025 Blue Jays made us believe. They have everything to be proud of.
I'll have more long form thoughts on this later, but the one comment that really got me was Shane Bieber saying something to the effect of: "It will never be the same again." The Blue Jays knew they had a once-in-a-lifetime team, true lightning in a bottle in 2025.
November 2, 2025 at 4:05 PM
I'll have more long form thoughts on this later, but the one comment that really got me was Shane Bieber saying something to the effect of: "It will never be the same again." The Blue Jays knew they had a once-in-a-lifetime team, true lightning in a bottle in 2025.
Thanks for the kind words! I'm still remembering/getting used to the new platform here, hopefully this just springboards into more fun and excitement next year.
November 2, 2025 at 3:26 PM
Thanks for the kind words! I'm still remembering/getting used to the new platform here, hopefully this just springboards into more fun and excitement next year.
Thanks for following, folks, and thanks for reading my sometimes incoherent blabbering about the Blue Jays this year. It was tonnes of fun. Having a beer and going to bed.
November 2, 2025 at 4:47 AM
Thanks for following, folks, and thanks for reading my sometimes incoherent blabbering about the Blue Jays this year. It was tonnes of fun. Having a beer and going to bed.
Think of all those games and all the moments the Blue Jays provided the fan base year. They were *that close* to crossing finish the line, but look how far they went. What a journey for this special team. They have everything to be proud of.
November 2, 2025 at 4:42 AM
Think of all those games and all the moments the Blue Jays provided the fan base year. They were *that close* to crossing finish the line, but look how far they went. What a journey for this special team. They have everything to be proud of.
That one is going to sting forever. But this Blue Jays team captivated a country again. The Blue Jays made countless memories for new generations of fans, and created lifelong heroes. This was an electric season no one will soon forget.
November 2, 2025 at 4:29 AM
That one is going to sting forever. But this Blue Jays team captivated a country again. The Blue Jays made countless memories for new generations of fans, and created lifelong heroes. This was an electric season no one will soon forget.
Ho hum, just the most hits in a single postseason by Ernie Clement.
November 2, 2025 at 3:00 AM
Ho hum, just the most hits in a single postseason by Ernie Clement.
Vladdy gallops off the field.
November 2, 2025 at 2:38 AM
Vladdy gallops off the field.
Blue Jays players who love sliding into home, ranked:
1. Vladdy (no question)
2. Ernie
1. Vladdy (no question)
2. Ernie
November 2, 2025 at 2:26 AM
Blue Jays players who love sliding into home, ranked:
1. Vladdy (no question)
2. Ernie
1. Vladdy (no question)
2. Ernie