The Blue Jays don’t have the luxury of guessing wrong on Addison Barger.
Toronto’s 2026 season went off the rails, and the offense was a huge reason why. At times it simply wasn’t there, and even when it showed up, it never stayed steady enough to count on. Fixing that has to be near the top of the offseason to-do list.
Barger is one of the internal answers that could matter a lot in 2027, but he comes with a built-in question mark. He only appeared in nine games last season, and the last time he was in the lineup was May 10, 2026 before surgery on his right elbow sent him to the sideline.
That was a frustrating turn after what he did in 2025. In 135 games, Barger hit .243 with 21 home runs, 74 RBI and a .755 OPS. He also piled up 32 doubles, giving the Blue Jays a real extra-base threat in the lineup.
Then came the injury pileup in 2026. An ankle issue, elbow trouble and a stress fracture in his back all cut into his year before the surgery shut him down for good.
There is at least some reason for optimism on the recovery front. The procedure was not Tommy John, and his recovery time was listed at six months. If spring training begins on schedule for 2027, Barger should be there.
But being available is only part of the equation. The Blue Jays still have to figure out what kind of player he’ll be when he comes back.
Anthony Santander complicates that picture. He also missed all of 2026, but the club has indicated he will be back and should get ready to play in the outfield next season.
That leaves Toronto with a real roster puzzle. Barger spent most of his strong 2025 season in right field, and Santander does, too. Barger could shift to third base, but then Kazuma Okamoto enters the conversation.
What Toronto cannot afford to do is assume Barger’s 2025 production will just be there waiting for them. The bat is needed. The uncertainty is how close that bat will be to form after a full season lost.
There’s risk either way, but the Blue Jays should give Barger the chance to win back an everyday role when 2027 opens. The bigger danger may be heading into the season without a dependable Plan B.
If 2026 taught Toronto anything, it’s how quickly injuries can tear a season apart. Barger still has the potential to be an important part of the Blue Jays’ future, but this is not a decision the team can make on hope alone.
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