Toronto Blue Jays Ready to Once Again Spend Money

The Toronto Blue Jays barely missed the playoffs this season and next year, look for the team to have a few fresh faces. Team president Mark Shapiro held his annual season ending press conference on Monday and made it known not only will the team try and re-sign it's free agents, expect payroll to increase once again.

The team has three key players hitting the market including pitchers Steven Matz, Robbie Ray and infielder Marcus Semien. All three had great seasons with Ray likely heading for a Cy Young trophy and Semien setting production records for MLB second basemen. Just because COVID kept the team out of Canada for months, don't expect any financial constraints as the ownership group plans on flexing their muscle. 

Shapiro had this to say about his team getting better in 2022:

I'm not a big believer you have to sign anyone back. I'm a believer that you have to get better. There are multiple ways for that to happen and we'll have the resources to do it - both in young talent that we could trade and in payroll.

Matz seems like the most likely to reup while Semien has made it clear he prefers to play shortstop and with Bo Bichette slotted at SS, there could be some conflict there. There's also been reports of the Jays trying to land a couple of players via trade this season including Jose Ramirez of the Cleveland Indians. 

Keep an eye on the Blue Jays this winter. The team is going to be very active trying to spend some money to improve their ball club.