ORLANDO, Fla. — The Toronto Blue Jays were the talk of baseball at the GM meetings in Las Vegas in early November. The feel-good team coming off a narrow World Series defeat was expected to spend, and that’s exactly what it’s done.

But the MLB offseason moves fast. A month later, after the Jays signed two pitchers for a combined $240 million, the baseball world met again for the Winter Meetings in Orlando. While other spenders are joining the party and stealing the spotlight, the Jays still have work to do.

From a potential Blue Jays fit for Alex Bregman to Dylan Cease’s upside and more, here are notes from the meetings:

An Alex Bregman pivot?

Blue Jays general manager Ross Atkins didn’t divulge much about the team’s interest in Kyle Tucker and Bo Bichette, arguably the top remaining hitters in free agency. He declined to “get in the weeds” on Tucker’s free agency and said Bichette made an “incredible impact on this organization,” but went no further. The Jays still have the financial might to sign one of those two hitters, though it’s unlikely they get both. But alternatives do exist.

Bregman, two league sources said, could be a potential back-up plan for Toronto if the Jays fail to sign Tucker or Bichette.

If the Jays miss on Bichette, they aren’t required to add another infielder. Toronto could easily run back Addison Barger (third base), Andrés Giménez (shortstop), Ernie Clement (second) and Vladimir Guerrero Jr. (first). But signing Bregman would add another lineup threat and clubhouse leader on a potentially shorter deal than Tucker or Bichette. Barger could slide to right field, as well.

Bregman’s on-base plus slugging percentage (OPS) has landed between .765 and .825 in each of the last six seasons. In 10 years, he’s never been worse than a 10 percent above league average hitter. He’s not as clean a lineup fit, hitting right-handed, but he would bring Gold Glove defence to third base and, if the Jays do lose Chris Bassitt and Max Scherzer, more veteran leadership and championship experience. But most of what makes Bregman a potential fit in Toronto is why he could ultimately return to the Boston Red Sox instead. Ahead of the offseason, The Athletic’s Tim Britton projected Bregman will receive a six-year, $171 million contract.

Cody Bellinger, who is similar to Kyle Tucker in many ways, could also be a Blue Jays fit in Toronto. While the Jays have also been connected to trade candidate Ketel Marte, the Arizona Diamondbacks infielder appears unlikely to be coming to Toronto.

Dylan Cease searching for a consistent ceiling

At the front of a massive hotel conference room in Orlando, Dylan Cease sat next to his agent, Scott Boras, and Blue Jays general manager Ross Atkins. Cease, donning a white Jays jersey and blue hat, was formally introduced as the franchise’s newest pitcher.

When asked why he chose the Blue Jays, Cease listed two reasons: Toronto is a championship-calibre team, and the Jays can help him reach his potential.

“It seemed from the get-go that it was going to be pretty inevitable,” he said.

The righty left out one very compelling reason: a $210 million contract, partially deferred. But the 29-year-old starter repeatedly stated how impressed he was by Toronto’s staff and the plan for him to achieve consistency.

The new #BlueJays pitcher pic.twitter.com/VfSdINKhkM

— Mitch Bannon (@MitchBannon) December 9, 2025

“I really wanted to know how they would help me maximize my potential and my ability,” Cease said. “That was very important to me. Yeah, they knocked it out of the park.”

In two of the last four years, Cease has been a Cy Young candidate with an ERA under 3.50. In the other two (2023 and 2025), he posted an ERA over 4.50 and looked more like a mid-rotation starter. If the Jays get the former version of Cease for the next seven years, his contract will be one of the best in franchise history.

Cease declined to get into specific adjustments he plans to test out heading into 2026, though he did mention being impressed by Toronto’s approach to pitch design and game planning.

Manager John Schneider, speaking to reporters ahead of Cease’s press conference, mentioned the righty’s delivery inconsistency, potential fastball grip adjustments and adding a changeup to help against left-handed batters.

It’s unlikely Cease will enter spring training, make a few planned adjustments and win seven Cy Youngs in a row. Some tweaks may work, others will not. But, at the very least, hearing a veteran starter praise the team’s staff and coaching tools has to feel rewarding for a franchise that’s poured so much time and money into improving those areas over the last few years. They’ve lured one of free agency’s biggest names, but now it’s time to put those tools to work.

Notes from manager John Schneider

Before Cease took the stage in Orlando, Schneider stepped in front of reporters on the second day of the Winter Meetings. While much of his time was spent on the Jays’ crushing Game 7 loss and reflecting on the World Series against the Los Angeles Dodgers, Schneider also hit on other topics:

Schneider identified the Jays’ top remaining needs as a leverage reliever and another bat for the lineup.
Anthony Santander is “finally feeling normal,” Schneider said, after back and shoulder injuries sidetracked his first season with the Blue Jays.
Cody Ponce’s deal has not yet been formally announced, but the new right-hander will be a starting pitcher, Schneider said.
Schneider has had “preliminary” extension talks with the Jays, he said, adding “there’s nowhere else I’d rather be.” The Jays picked up the manager’s 2026 option ahead of the offseason.
Asked if the Jays have interest in Japanese players Tatsuya Imai, Munetaka Murakami and Kuzuma Okamoto, Schneider said “those three guys have definitely been on our radar.”