Blue Jays Players with Options for the 2024 Offseason
Alright, Jays fans, let’s talk about the offseason. While we’re all dreaming of hot stove rumours and big free-agent splashes, there’s a crucial piece of roster business that happens first: player options. It’s not the flashiest part of the baseball calendar, but understanding who has a choice to stay or go is key to predicting what our Toronto Blue Jays will look like next spring.
Think of this as your front-office primer. We’re going to break down exactly which players on the current roster hold options for the 2024 season, what those decisions mean for the club’s payroll and flexibility, and how General Manager Ross Atkins might navigate these waters. By the end of this, you’ll be able to follow the offseason moves like a pro. Let’s get into it.
What You Need to Follow Along
Before we dive into the list, let’s make sure we’re all on the same page. You don’t need a law degree, but a few key concepts will help.
A Basic Understanding of Contract Options: In MLB, an option gives either the player or the team (or sometimes both) a choice to activate another year of a contract. A player option means the athlete decides. A team option means the front office decides. A mutual option means both sides must agree—these rarely get exercised by both parties.
Knowledge of the Current Roster: We’ll be referencing core players like Vladimir Guerrero Jr., Bo Bichette, and George Springer, as well as key pitchers. Knowing who’s who helps.
The Blue Jays' Payroll Situation: We won’t get deep into exact dollars, but remember, every option decision impacts how much money the Jays have to spend elsewhere. The goal is always to build a team that can win the American League East and, ultimately, the World Series.
Patience: These decisions have deadlines, usually a few days after the World Series ends. The news doesn't all break at once.
Got it? Perfect. Now, let’s walk through the step-by-step process of analyzing the Blue Jays' 2024 options.
Step-by-Step Process: Breaking Down the Blue Jays' Option Decisions
Step 1: Identify Every Player with a Contract Option
First things first, we need the full list. For the 2024 offseason, the Blue Jays have a handful of players with pending options. The big names here are on the pitching side. Position players like Vladdy, Bichette, and Alejandro Kirk are under team control via arbitration or long-term deals, so no options to worry about there for now.
The key players with options are:
Kevin Gausman (Player Option)
Yusei Kikuchi (Player Option)
Chad Green (Team Option)
Notice that Jose Berrios, Jordan Romano, and others are on guaranteed contracts or in arbitration. They aren’t part of this specific option puzzle. This step is about filtering the roster to find the actual decision points.
Step 2: Analyze Each Option Type and Its Likely Outcome
Now, let’s look at each one individually. This is where we put on our Ross Atkins hat.
Kevin Gausman’s Player Option: This is a massive one. After another stellar season anchoring the rotation, Gausman has the right to opt out of the remaining two years and $42 million on his deal. Given his performance as a true ace, he could likely command more years and dollars on the open market. Likely Outcome: Gausman opts out. The Jays then must decide if they want to re-negotiate a new extension with him or let him walk, which would create a huge hole in the rotation.
Yusei Kikuchi’s Player Option: Kikuchi’s story is one of redemption. After a tough 2022, he was brilliant for much of 2023. He has a $10 million player option for 2024. Given his resurgence and the cost of starting pitching, he could probably secure a multi-year deal if he opts out. However, $10 million is a solid, guaranteed salary for a mid-rotation lefty. Likely Outcome: This is a true 50/50. It depends on how Kikuchi and his agent view the market. He may opt out to seek more security, or he may opt in for the guaranteed money in Toronto.
Chad Green’s Team Option: The Jays acquired Green knowing he was rehabbing from Tommy John surgery. They signed him to a unique deal with a team option for 2024. He returned late in 2023 and showed flashes of his high-leverage self. Likely Outcome: The Jays are likely to exercise this option. Quality relievers are expensive, and a healthy Green is a premium arm for the bullpen at a reasonable price. This seems like a straightforward "pick up" for the front office.
Step 3: Project the Roster and Payroll Impact
Once we have our likely outcomes, we map the consequences. If Gausman opts out, that’s $21 million (his 2024 salary) potentially coming off the books, but it also means you need to replace 180+ elite innings. Do you use that money to try and re-sign him? Or do you pivot to another top free-agent starter?
If Kikuchi opts in, your rotation has a locked-in piece. If he opts out, you might have two rotation spots to fill. The decision on Green’s option directly shapes the bullpen budget and construction for Manager Schneider.
This step is about connecting the dots. Each choice creates a ripple effect that influences other offseason moves, like potential trades or free-agent pursuits. You can see how these options are the first dominoes to fall.
Step 4: Consider the "What-If" Scenarios
This is the fun part. What if the unexpected happens?
What if Gausman surprises everyone and opts IN? That would be a huge win for the Jays' immediate plans, providing certainty and freeing up resources to attack other needs, like the lineup.
What if Kikuchi opts out AND the Jays let Gausman walk? Suddenly, the rotation behind Berrios and Chris Bassitt (who has a mutual option, but those are different) is full of question marks. This would demand a very aggressive pitching-focused offseason.
What if an injury or personal factor influences a decision? We always have to leave room for the human element.
Playing out these scenarios helps you understand the stakes for the front office. It’s why the Blue Jays' roster updates page will be so busy this winter.
Step 5: Follow the Official Announcements and Dominoes
Finally, be ready for the news. These decisions will be reported by insiders and officially announced by the club. Once a player like Gausman makes his choice, the Jays' offseason strategy becomes much clearer.
Then, watch for the dominoes. A Gausman opt-out might be followed by news of the Jays meeting with his agent. A Kikuchi opt-in might mean the trade rumours focus more on position players. This step is about active observation, using the groundwork we’ve just laid.
Pro Tips & Common Mistakes to Avoid
Pro Tip: Don't Confuse Option Types. Remember, a player option is the athlete's choice. A team option is the front office's choice. Getting this backwards will lead to incorrect predictions.
Pro Tip: Think About the Full Market. When predicting a player opt-out, don't just look at their performance. Look at the free-agent market for their position. A weak market might make opting in more attractive.
Common Mistake: Overreacting to Early Rumours. The offseason is a rumour mill. Until you see an official announcement from the player or team, take every "source says" report with a grain of salt.
Common Mistake: Forgetting the Human Element. These are personal financial and career decisions for the players. Family comfort, desire to win, and loyalty to the city can all play a role, not just pure dollars.
Pro Tip: Use Trusted Resources. Follow our Blue Jays roster updates hub and reputable MLB insiders for the most accurate information. Avoid the speculation-heavy corners of the internet if you want clear analysis.
Your Blue Jays 2024 Offseason Options Checklist
Here’s a quick summary of everything we’ve covered. Use this as your cheat sheet for the coming weeks:
- Identify the Option Players: Focus on Gausman (player option), Kikuchi (player option), and Green (team option).
- Analyze Each Case:
Kikuchi: 50/50 toss-up. Depends on market valuation.
Green: Likely has his team option picked up by the Jays.
- Project the Roster Impact: Map out how each decision affects the rotation, bullpen, and available payroll.
- Consider Alternative Scenarios: Play out the "what-ifs" to understand the full range of possibilities for the front office.
- Follow the News Officially: Wait for official announcements before drawing firm conclusions, and watch how one move triggers the next.
By working through this checklist, you’ll navigate the early offseason with confidence. The decisions on these options are the first major clues to the Blue Jays' 2024 strategy. Will they run it back with a similar group, or is significant change coming? Stay tuned, and keep it locked here for all the latest analysis.
For more detailed breakdowns on how the roster is shaping up, check out our look at the Blue Jays infield roster battles for spring training. And for a different perspective on offseason moves, you can explore this analysis on final athlete characteristics and news.*
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