The Blue Jays are headed into a busy offseason, and Davis Schneider looks like the player most likely to get squeezed out.
Toronto entered the year with the kind of roster that seemed built for another long run, but injuries and an offense that never found enough consistency changed the whole picture. Now Ross Atkins has work to do, and part of that job could mean reshaping the outfield.
Schneider, 27, went from showing real promise in 2025 to taking a clear step back this season. He was optioned four times, including twice in August, and his numbers told the story: .145/.310/.315 with 18 hits in 124 at-bats. Against breaking pitches, he had a brutal time of it, hitting .049 with 23 strikeouts, according to Baseball Savant.
The contract situation works in his favor. He isn’t making a big salary and remains under team control through 2030, which gives Toronto options. The club could send him to the minors and let him try to reestablish himself, but if Schneider is looking for a fresh start, a trade would make sense too.
The bigger issue is that there may not be a clean path for him on the roster anymore. Addison Barger and Anthony Santander are expected back from injury and bring power to the mix.
Brett Bateman and Nathan Lukes are projected to handle starting outfield jobs. Then there’s Myles Straw, who would return if Toronto picks up his $8 million club option.
On top of that, Atkins is likely to chase another outfield bat in free agency.
Schneider has been easy to root for since his first career at-bat, when he launched one over the fence. His mustache, his personality, and the way he connected with fans made him one of those players who sticks with a clubhouse. But even he knows the situation is fluid.
“Every single year, you never know what the next year is going to entail. Especially after a year like this with the high expectations and we don’t live up to them as a team. Whether they’re going to be looking for new guys,” Schneider said in an interview with Lindsay Dunn.
“I think that should happen every year. You always want to win the World Series and I wouldn’t say it’s a failure, but we didn’t live up to expectations.
Hopefully, we can next year if I’m still here. You never know in this game, but we just got to perform better."
So while nothing is settled yet, Schneider looks like a real candidate to be moved this winter.
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