John Schneider has “there were some discussions about” to a long-term extension with the Blue Jays, the manager told Shi Davidi of Sportsnet. Schneider is entering the final year of his current contract, and “if there is a way to do it [an extension] on both sides that makes sense, that would be great….We’ll keep talking and there’s no place I’d rather be than this group.“
Promoted from bench coach to interim manager after Charlie Montoyo was fired midway through the 2022 season, Schneider led that year’s Jays to a wildcard appearance, earning him a three-year contract to remain as the team’s full-time captain. That contract includes a club option for the 2026 season, which the Jays naturally exercised last November after Toronto’s run to Game 7 of the World Series.
The Jays have a 303-257 record under Schneider, and the team has reached the postseason three times in his four seasons. The one non-final year came in 2024 when the Blue Jays struggled to a 74-88 record, and there was much speculation heading into the 2025 campaign about whether Toronto needed a change in the bullpen and/or front office. Winning the AL pennant naturally changed that conversation immediately, leaving Schneider and GM Ross Atkins looking like they were going to be sent away.
It wouldn’t be surprising if Schneider and Atkins both had new deals signed before Opening Day, or it would be a real eye-opener if Daulton Varsho he was extended as he headed into his final season before being released in free agency. This doesn’t reflect how the Jays feel about Varsho, but the fact that Varsho is represented by Scott Boras, whose clients are more likely to explore the open market than opt for extensions.
Atkins previously said the Jays are interested in extending Varsho, though the outfielder wouldn’t confirm that any talks had taken place when he spoke with Gregor Chisholm of the Toronto Star and other reporters earlier this week.
“I live without those [extension] conversations, I don’t want to be in them“said Varsho, noting that he leaves such business to his representatives. Varsho expressed interest in staying with the Jays, saying “I love being here. They treat the families very well and do everything to keep the players here…I enjoyed my time. I will continue to enjoy it.”
Another obstacle between Varsho and an extension could be that signing a deal now could leave too much money on the table. As Chisholm notes, a healthy and consistent 2026 campaign could put Varsho in line for a big free agent payday next winter, so it would be in his best interest to use 2026 as a platform year.
Varsho is arguably the best defensive hitter in baseball, and has hit 85 homers over the past four seasons. However, his .225/.292/.432 line since the start of the 2022 season translates directly to a 100 wRC+, as Varsho’s lack of walks and penchant for strikeouts have sapped his potential. He was also limited to 71 games in 2025 – Varsho missed time recovering from rotator cuff surgery in September 2024, and a hamstring strain that cost him two months of regular-season action.
In other news surrounding the Blue Jays’ spring camp, MLB.com’s Keegan Matheson writes that the minor league signing Eloy Jimenez “he spent a lot of time at first.” Jimenez never played first base in his first major league season with the White Sox and Orioles from 2019-24, but he got into seven games at the position in 2025 while playing in the Blue Jays’ and Rays’ farm systems, and also saw first base in Winter League ball.
Vladimir Guerrero Jr. He is clearly locked into the starting starting job in Toronto and the Jays have added more depth to the position with the signing. Juan Yepez in the children’s agreement last week. However, the Jays do not have a designated backup behind Guerrero, such as Kazuma Okamoto expected to play third base. Being a regular first baseman would help Jimenez’s slim chances of disrupting the Blue Jays’ lineup, and moving to first base is a logical career path anyway given that Jimenez’s defense in the outfield led to an increase in the number of DH at-bats during his time in Chicago.
Jimenez hit .270/.321/.469 with 94 runs over 2026 PA with the White Sox from 2019-24, as this solid production however did not meet the expectations placed on Jimenez as a top prospect and ballyhooed international signing. Injuries and a lack of consistency caught up with Jimenez, and he is now looking to dominate his MLB career as he enters his 29th season.
