Predicting the Blue Jays’ Opening Day lineup following major off-season moves

It’s now less than five weeks until the opening of what projects to be one of the most interesting spring training sessions in Blue Jays history.

And, even if general manager Ross Atkins is finished making meaningful additions to the team’s roster, the competition and formulation of lineups will be fascinating as it unfolds, the product of the team’s aggressive bid to repeat as American League champions.

In other words, it’s going to be a busy six weeks and change for manager John Schneider when players officially report to Dunedin, Fla., in the second week of February.

Despite coming within inches of winning the World Series in Game 7 back on Nov. 1, the turnover on the Jays roster certainly is significant, especially when compared with the group that began the 2025 season.

It may be foolhardy to project a starting lineup right now, but it’s a fun exercise on a Jays team that has been the one most talked about since the final out of the Fall Classic.

So let’s put on Schneider’s manager’s cap and have some fun.

Your 2026 Blue Jays lineup – Jan. 8 edition

1. George Springer, DH

After a miserable 2024 season in which many were predicting the former World Series MVP was done as a meaningful, top-of-the-order bat, Springer had one of his best offensive seasons. By summer, he had regained his leadoff spot and continued to thrive. He’s a sure thing to remain there in 2026.

2. Addison Barger, RF

The asterisk for the developing power hitter depends on whether the Jays land Kyle Tucker and the left-handed bat that would project high in the order and take that spot in right field. Barger’s big task will be to become more consistent, but the more experience he gathered, the more valuable he became in 2025.

3. Vlad Guerrero Jr., 1B

Locked and loaded at his usual spot, the assignment for the team’s highest-paid player will be to replicate his tour de force post-season.

4. Anthony Santander, LF

Are we really going to put the guy who struggled with performance and injury in 2025 this high with a guaranteed roster spot? For now, yes. The Jays intend to give the former Orioles slugger every opportunity to redeem himself (and start earning that fat salary). The leash, however, will be short.

5. Alejandro Kirk, C

A breakthrough season for the Jays every-day catcher has earned him a spot in the middle of the lineup. It will be up to Kirk, who always has had the potential to be a dangerous hitter, to keep it.

6. Kazuma Okamoto, 3B

Welcome to the big leagues, North American-style, Kaz. The Jays certainly expect an injection of power from the first prominent Japanese bat they’ve landed and all indications are he is capable. They also love his tough at-bats though and his ability to hit for contact. He has the possibility of climbing in the order.

7. Daulton Varsho, CF

Presuming he’s healthy — unlike last year, when he had a late start and struggled at times — the Jays will be looking for Varsho to offer more consistent production. He’s always motivated, but with free agency looming at the end of the year, there’s even more.

8. Ernie Clement, 2B

Perhaps the big beneficiary of the possible (likely?) departure of Bo Bichette, opportunity looms for Clement as the every-day second baseman. Clement, who avoided arbitration with the team by agreeing to a one-year, $4.6-million US deal on Thursday, showed his offensive potential through his record production in the post-season and makes him a classic lengthen-the-lineup type of bat.

9. Andres Gimenez, SS

Seized the job of shortstop when Bichette was hurt in September and made it his own going forward. Not the most reliable bat in the order, but his defence and speed make up for it.

STARTING PITCHER: TBD, of course, with plenty of options from Kevin Gausman, to new guy Dylan Cease, to rookie sensation Trey Yesavage.

Rewind to 2025 Opening Day

Yes, the turnover is significant and it began in the regular season. Here’s a flashback to the lineup Schneider filled out on opening day last March.

1. Bichette, SS

Springer eventually took over his rightful spot at the top, but Bichette had a huge offensive year for the Jays. His departure, should it happen, will be a big hole for the team and its fan base.

2. Guerrero, 1B

A little higher in the order out of necessity, but he eventually dropped to the spot he prefers.

3. Santander, LF

The slow start that has dogged him throughout his career went from tepid to icy and the Jays big free-agent acquisition of that off-season never recovered.

4. Gimenez, 2B

There wasn’t a great deal of optimism for the team offensively with Gimenez opening at cleanup. That would soon change, however.

5. Kirk, C

Delivered in a big way in the busiest season of his young big league career.

6. Springer, CF

Playing centre field out of necessity with Varsho starting the season on the IL, Springer would become arguably the most important bat on the team before long. His aging and beat-up body seemingly thrived in the DH spot as well.

7. Will Wagner, DH

There were high hopes for Wagner to start the season, but the bat never came through with enough consistency and he was dealt at the trade deadline to San Diego for minor-league catcher Brandon Valenzuela.

8. Clement, 3B

A spot in the opening day lineup was the sign of big things to come for the fan and clubhouse favourite.

9. Alan Roden, RF

The darling of spring training never produced as well and bounced between the big leagues and triple A. He was dealt to Minnesota at the trade deadline in part of a package that brought reliever Louis Varland and first baseman Ty France.

STARTING PITCHER: Jose Berrios got the call in what would turn out to be a dismal season for the durable veteran, one that ended in injury and frustration as he was left off the post-season roster.