With rumors emanating on the Hot Stove that Jose Berrios could be a trade victim at the Winter Meetings, Toronto Blue Jays general manager Ross Atkins has revealed some startling news about a rift between the team and the starting pitcher.
GM Ross Atkins was meeting with the media on the first day of the proceedings in Orlando. He addressed the fact that Berrios was not on the Jays’ roster for their 2025 postseason run. The pitcher wasn’t even around during the World Series, and Atkins said it was Berrios’s idea:
Asked if Berrios was unhappy, Atkins replied, “He was not happy … He was disappointed that he wasn’t in our rotation. He handled it well, but then when it came down to roster selection, he wasn’t on it.”
Berrios “was not happy” to be left off Blue Jays’ playoff roster
The roster decision wasn’t really a difficult one for the Jays to make. Berrios had a nice first half of the season, with a 3.75 ERA. But he imploded in the second half, posting a 5.63 ERA over the final three months. He was rocked for 14 runs (10 earned) in 13.1 September innings for a 6.75 ERA. He really had no one to blame but himself for being left off the playoff roster.
It was a stunning turn of events for the veteran pitcher, who actually started on Opening Day for Toronto. The fact that he was hammered for six runs, nine hits and three homers in that game in five innings was a harbinger of things to come, however.
Berrios’s contract will make it difficult to trade him
Now, with potentially three years and $67 million to run on his contract (if he doesn’t opt out after the 2026 season), the Jays will find it difficult to locate a taker for the 31-year-old. They will likely have to eat some of that money, and/or take on an undesirable contract from any team willing to play ball on a trade. Nevertheless, Blue Jays insider Ben Nicholson-Smith does indicate that the team is willing to listen to offers on Berrios.
Atkins, however, pulled his usual double-talk when addressing the media. He insisted that he and Berrios have a “solid, professional” relationship. “José has been an incredible starting pitcher for his entire career and we’re very glad he’s here, said Atkins, trying his best to convince those who would listen. “We certainly intend for him to be here moving forward.”
Unlike E.F. Hutton, however, when Ross Atkins talks, people really shouldn’t listen. Take it with a grain of salt, and expect the unexpected this offseason.
With big potential free agent signings in the offing, and now some trade talk, it will be a busy week at the Winter Meeting for the Jays’ brass.
