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Blue Jays can’t let qualifying-offer penalties scare them off some of these targets

It's not just the money that the Toronto Blue Jays must consider when signing free agents attached to a qualifying offer this winter.

By Ben Wrixon · Jays Journal

Published: Friday, 23 October 2026 at 3:00 PM

Key Things to Know

Ben Wrixon argues the Toronto Blue Jays should accept qualifying-offer penalties to sign select impact free agents.
Declining the $23.15 million qualifying offer requires signing teams to forfeit draft picks and international bonus pool funds.
The writer believes Seiya Suzuki and Brandon Lowe are worth pursuing regardless of any qualifying-offer penalties.

The Story in 60 Seconds

Jays Journal writer Ben Wrixon argues that the Toronto Blue Jays should not let potential qualifying-offer penalties deter them from pursuing top free agents this winter. Because the team operates within the luxury tax, signing players who reject the record $23.15 million tender would cost them draft capital and international bonus pool funds.

Wrixon evaluates several targets, contending the penalties are entirely justifiable for high-impact bats like Seiya Suzuki and Brandon Lowe. In contrast, players like Ryan Jeffers and David Bednar do not fit team needs, while targets like Trevor Rogers, Adrian Morejon, and Randy Arozarena would depend strictly on contract costs.

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Blue Jays can’t let qualifying-offer penalties scare them off some of these targets

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