As the MLB offseason kicks into gear and the Winter Meetings loom, front offices across the league are getting their ducks in a row. This is the time of year when the hot stove starts to really sizzle - trades are floated, free agents are courted, and the foundation for next season’s contenders begins to take shape.
One team already making waves? The Toronto Blue Jays.
Fresh off a dramatic World Series showdown with the Dodgers, Toronto wasted no time reminding the league they're not just here to compete - they’re here to win. Their signing of All-Star right-hander Dylan Cease to a seven-year deal north of $200 million wasn’t just a big move - it was a statement.
The Blue Jays are going all-in.
And with the front office clearly in go-mode, it’s a good time to take a step back and look at the architect behind this aggressive push: General Manager Ross Atkins. Since taking over, Atkins has had his share of hits and misses, but when he’s hit, he’s hit big. Let’s break down five of his best trades - the kind of moves that have shaped this roster into a legitimate contender.
5. Shane Bieber from Cleveland for Khal Stephen
This one’s still fresh, and to be fair, it’s a bit of a projection - but the early returns are promising. Bieber arrived at the 2025 trade deadline coming off a rehab stint, and while there were questions about his durability, his pedigree was never in doubt. A former Cy Young winner with a track record of dominance, Bieber stepped into the Blue Jays’ rotation and made an immediate impact during their postseason run.
What makes this deal stand out is the cost: just one player, right-handed prospect Khal Stephen. Stephen’s got upside - a 22-year-old with a live arm out of Mississippi State - but if Bieber returns to anything close to his peak form, this is a classic high-reward move for a relatively low price.
Looking ahead, Bieber is set to anchor a rotation that now includes Kevin Gausman and Dylan Cease. That’s a trio that can go toe-to-toe with any in the American League. If Bieber stays healthy and performs, this deal could age very, very well.
4. Daulton Varsho from Arizona for Lourdes Gurriel Jr. and Gabriel Moreno
This 2022 trade flew under the radar at the time, but it’s aged into one of Atkins’ more balanced - and ultimately successful - moves. Varsho has become a defensive cornerstone for the Blue Jays, patrolling center field with the kind of range, instincts, and arm strength that earned him a Gold Glove in 2024.
Offensively, it’s been a bit of a rollercoaster. Varsho’s bat hasn’t always kept up with his glove, and his World Series performance at the plate left something to be desired. But his power is real, and with another year of team control, there’s still time for him to put it all together.
Arizona got solid value in return - Gurriel brought veteran presence and some pop, while Moreno has shown flashes behind the plate - but Varsho’s defensive value alone has made this deal worthwhile for Toronto. If he can tighten up his approach at the plate, especially under the guidance of hitting coach David Popkins, this could end up being an even bigger win.
3. Matt Chapman from Oakland for Gunnar Hoglund, Kevin Smith, Zach Logue, and Kirby Snead
This one’s all about elite defense and value. Chapman arrived in Toronto with a Platinum Glove and a reputation as one of the best third basemen in the game - and he lived up to the hype. Over two seasons, he racked up 8 WAR, won a Gold Glove in 2023, and brought stability to the hot corner.
Sure, his offensive numbers were streaky, but when he was locked in, Chapman was a force. A 122 OPS+ during his Toronto run shows he wasn’t just glove-only. And when you look at what Oakland got in return - a group of players who’ve yet to make a significant impact - it’s clear the Blue Jays came out ahead.
Chapman eventually signed with the Giants, but his time in Toronto was impactful. He was a key piece of a contending roster, and the price to acquire him was more than reasonable.
2. Teoscar Hernández from Houston for Francisco Liriano
This might be the definition of a steal. Back in 2017, Atkins flipped veteran reliever Francisco Liriano for a young, toolsy outfielder named Teoscar Hernández. The rest is history.
Hernández blossomed into one of the most dangerous bats in the American League during his six seasons in Toronto. His 2021 campaign - 33 home runs, 116 RBIs, and a near-.300 average - was a monster year, and he consistently brought middle-of-the-order power to a lineup that featured names like Vlad Jr. and Marcus Semien.
He wasn’t a Gold Glove candidate, but his offensive production more than made up for it. And even after moving on to the Dodgers, where he helped them win the 2025 World Series, Hernández remains a fan favorite in Toronto. The fact that he was acquired for a rental reliever makes this one of the best value trades of the Atkins era.
1. José Berríos from Minnesota for Austin Martin and Simeon Woods Richardson
This is the gold standard. When the Blue Jays traded for Berríos at the 2021 deadline, they were betting big on a proven arm to help stabilize their rotation.
And Berríos delivered. Since the trade, he’s been one of the most durable starters in baseball, ranking second in MLB in starts before a season-ending injury in 2025.
He’s been consistent, reliable, and at times dominant - the kind of pitcher who gives your team a chance every fifth day. And when you look at the return Minnesota got - Martin and Woods Richardson, both of whom are still trying to find their footing - it’s clear Toronto won this deal in a landslide.
Now, all eyes are on Berríos’ recovery and return in 2026. If he bounces back to form, the Blue Jays will once again have one of the deepest rotations in the game.
Final Thoughts
Ross Atkins has had his share of critics over the years, but these trades show a GM who knows how to identify value and isn’t afraid to swing big. With the Winter Meetings just around the corner and Toronto already making major moves, the message is clear: the Blue Jays aren’t content with just getting close. They’re building to win it all.
And if Atkins keeps pulling off deals like these, don’t be surprised if the Blue Jays are right back in the thick of October baseball again next year.