MLB Offseason Buzz: Blue Jays Double Down, Senga’s Future in Flux, and Cubs Eye Ketel Marte
The MLB offseason is heating up, and few teams are moving with more urgency-or ambition-than the Toronto Blue Jays. After breaking through to the World Series for the first time since 2015, Toronto is clearly not content with being a one-and-done contender. They’re going all in.
The Jays already made headlines with a massive 14-year, $500 million extension for Vladimir Guerrero Jr., a move that signaled their long-term commitment to their homegrown core. That bet paid off in a big way. Now, the front office is pushing hard to keep another franchise cornerstone in Bo Bichette.
According to former MLB catcher and current analyst Chris Gimenez, Toronto is leading the charge to bring Bichette back. “I think the Blue Jays are the frontrunner, and they should be,” Gimenez said on MLB Network Radio.
“If they’re able to sign Bo, I think it’s a massive win for them. You keep your guy, and you sign, in my opinion, the best available starter.”
That “best available starter” is Dylan Cease, who the Jays reportedly locked up with a seven-year, $210 million deal. That’s a big splash-one that gives Toronto a legitimate ace to pair with their high-powered offense.
And if they can finalize a deal with Bichette, the next logical step is reinforcing the bullpen. Gimenez floated names like Pete Fairbanks or other high-leverage arms who could anchor the back end.
The message is clear: Toronto isn’t just reloading-they’re building a complete team.
Bichette, who debuted in 2019, has been a staple at shortstop for Toronto. The 27-year-old declined a $22.025 million qualifying offer, which means the Blue Jays will receive a compensatory draft pick if he signs elsewhere. But make no mistake-Toronto wants to keep him, and they’re acting like a team that expects to.
Meanwhile, over in Queens, the situation surrounding Kodai Senga is far more uncertain.
The 33-year-old right-hander reportedly wants to remain with the New York Mets heading into the 2026 season. But that may not be enough to keep him in Flushing. Despite Senga’s preference to stay, the Mets are open to moving him-if the right deal comes along.
The wrinkle? Senga holds a limited no-trade clause, giving him the power to block trades to 10 teams. That gives him some leverage, but not complete control.
Senga’s journey with the Mets has been a rollercoaster. After signing a five-year, $75 million deal in 2023 following an 11-year run with the Fukuoka SoftBank Hawks in Japan, he made an instant impact, earning an All-Star nod in Year 1. But injuries derailed his 2024 campaign, limiting him to just one start.
He bounced back strong to start 2025, posting a league-best 1.47 ERA over 13 starts. That run had him on track for another All-Star appearance-until a hamstring injury in June sent him to the IL.
When he returned, he wasn’t the same pitcher. Over his next nine starts, his ERA ballooned to 5.90, and with the Mets’ playoff hopes fading fast, he was optioned to Triple-A in September.
Now, with the team re-evaluating its roster and direction, Senga’s future is very much in the air. His desire to stay is real-but so is the possibility he’s wearing a different uniform come Opening Day.
In the desert, the Arizona Diamondbacks are reportedly exploring a major move of their own: trading All-Star second baseman Ketel Marte.
At 32, Marte is still producing at a high level, and teams are taking notice. The Chicago Cubs are emerging as a potential landing spot, and they have the prospect capital to make something happen. According to reports, infield prospect Jefferson Rojas and right-hander Jaxson Wiggins could be key pieces in a deal.
Marte is entering the second year of a six-year, $116.5 million deal, but here’s the kicker-he’s only owed $27 million over the next two seasons. That’s elite talent at a manageable price, and for a Cubs team looking to stay competitive, it’s an enticing option.
Chicago is also looking to replace some lost production in the lineup. Kyle Tucker, last offseason’s marquee signing, struggled down the stretch and is now gone via free agency.
Marte, a switch-hitter with pop from both sides of the plate, fits the bill. He’s averaged over 30 homers and posted a 150 OPS+ across the past two seasons-numbers that would immediately boost the top of the Cubs’ order.
For the D-backs, moving Marte would be a tough call, but one that could bring back valuable young talent. For the Cubs, it’s a chance to land a proven star without blowing up the farm system.
So here we are: the Blue Jays are loading up for another World Series run, the Mets are weighing a tough decision on a talented but injury-prone ace, and the Cubs might be ready to strike for a high-impact bat. The offseason is just getting started, but the chess pieces are already moving-and the stakes couldn’t be higher.