The Toronto Blue Jays aren’t just making moves this offseason-they’re reshaping the AL East chessboard. After locking in Dylan Cease, Toronto doubled down by signing Cody Ponce to a three-year, $30 million deal, rewarding his strong run in the KBO.
That’s two starting-caliber arms added to a rotation that already featured Kevin Gausman, Shane Bieber, and World Series breakout Trey Yesavage. The message?
The Jays are loading up-and in the process, they might’ve opened a door for the Baltimore Orioles.
With five starters essentially locked in, Toronto suddenly finds itself with a surplus-and that puts veteran right-hander José Berríos in a curious spot. He’s still under contract for big money-$18.7 million in 2026 and north of $24 million annually in 2027 and 2028-and he’s coming off a solid, if unspectacular, season. Berríos logged 166 innings with a 4.17 ERA last year, and while he missed the postseason due to elbow issues, he’s been one of the most durable starters in the league over the past few seasons, averaging more than 180 innings per year since 2021.
That kind of reliability is exactly what the Orioles lacked in 2025. Injuries ravaged their rotation, and Baltimore never truly replaced Corbin Burnes after he departed.
If GM Mike Elias is looking for a dependable arm to stabilize the staff behind Grayson Rodriguez and Kyle Bradish, Berríos could be a fit. He’s not a frontline ace at this point, but he’s a steady presence-something new manager Craig Albernaz would welcome with open arms.
But here’s the catch: trades within the division are always tricky. The Blue Jays aren’t likely to do the Orioles any favors, especially with both clubs eyeing the same postseason real estate. And even if Berríos is somewhat expendable in Toronto’s eyes, dealing him to Baltimore would come with a price-likely a steep one.
There’s also the question of fit. While Berríos brings consistency, the Orioles may be aiming higher.
If they’re going to swing a trade for a starter, they might prefer someone with more upside or postseason pedigree. Berríos is a solid No. 3 or No. 4, not the kind of ace who shifts the balance of power in October.
Still, Toronto’s aggressive offseason could impact Baltimore’s plans in other ways. With Cease and Ponce in the fold, it’s unlikely that veterans like Chris Bassitt or Max Scherzer return to the Jays. That could make either pitcher a realistic target for the Orioles-especially if they’re looking for short-term help without giving up major prospect capital.
Bottom line: the Blue Jays are making noise, and in doing so, they’ve changed the dynamics of the AL East arms race. Whether the Orioles respond by targeting Berríos, or pivot to other available arms, this is shaping up to be a critical offseason for a team that’s still looking to get over the October hump. And thanks to Toronto’s early moves, the pressure’s on.