Toronto’s next big gamble: will the Blue Jays secure George Springer before free agency chaos hits? DD
Photo credit: Toronto Star
Toronto Blue Jays outfielder George Springer will be a free agent following the 2026 season.
George Springer signed a six-year, $150 million contract with the Blue Jays back in January 2021.
The first couple of years of his contract looked great, however in 2024 his production tailed of significantly and it started to look like a bad contract going forward.
The 12-year veteran posted career lows across his entire slash line at .220/.303/.371 in 2024.
The 36-year old had a WAR of 1.1, a .220 BA an OPS of .674 and a dismal 2025 spring training that had fans seriously concerned about Springer’s 2025 season ahead.
The came the regular season and postseason numbers. Springer quickly halted all his critics with a remarkable comeback season, as both an outfielder and designated hitter.
He slashed .309/.399/.560 and his .959 OPS ranked second in the AL behind Aaron Judge.
His 2025 season will likely be best remembered for his decisive seventh-inning home run in Game 7 of the ALCS, but Springer also led the Blue Jays with 32 regular-season homers.
GEORGE SPRINGER 3 RUN HOME RUN FOR THE LEAD IN ALCS GAME 7!!!
A career outfielder, Springer started only 51 games in the field this season compared to 80 at DH, or what he preferred to describe as the “offensive player,” noting his contributions on the bases, including 18 steals.
Should the Blue Jays extend Springers contract before it ends at the conclusion of 2026?
After the gut-wrenching Game 7 loss to the Dodgers in the World Series Springer was quoted as saying: “I look froward to getting back to work whenever that is.”
«I think we did so much good this year as a team. I think we kind of pushed through a lot of expectations and just did what we believe that what we could do as a team.” – Springer following Game 7 loss
Then one year removed from the worst season of his career, George Springer’s resurgent 2025 earned him a Silver Slugger Award.
A year after hitting .220 and posting a .674 OPS, George Springer has won the AL Silver Slugger at DH. Quite the comeback for the #BlueJays vet
Silver Slugger winners were determined by a vote among all 30 MLB managers and an additional three coaches per team, and obviously Springer’s numbers couldn’t be ignored.
After such a remarkable season, once again it begs the question: Should the Blue Jays extend his contract now or let him test free agency at the end of 2026?
