THE APEX TIMES
Toronto made its first offseason decision on outfielder Myles Straw, declining the $8 million club option and moving toward a buyout that is set to be covered by cash considerations from a prior trade.
The Toronto Blue Jays have declined their $8 million club option on outfielder Myles Straw, a move that comes as the MLB offseason officially begins and free agency opens. The decision ends the club option and keeps Straw from returning under the option year at that price.
Straw’s contract included a $1.75 million buyout, and the team’s release indicates that amount will be covered by cash considerations sent to Toronto in the trade with the Cleveland Guardians that brought Straw to the organization prior to the 2025 season.
Monday’s Straw-related update also matched a broader roster reset the Blue Jays used to set their 40-man roster for the offseason. Toronto reinstated all players from the 60-day injured list, including right-handers José Berríos, Jake Bloss, Bowden Francis, and Cody Ponce, along with outfielders Jonatan Clase and Anthony Santander and right fielder Addison Barger.
In addition, the team cleared a 40-man spot by reinstating CJ Van Eyk after he cleared waivers and was assigned to Triple-A, according to the Blue Jays’ transaction notes. The release also outlines that Berríos and Francis, both recovering from Tommy John surgery, still have rehab time ahead and can be placed back on the 60-day injured list in spring.
The release frames Straw’s original value as partly financial and partly roster depth, while also emphasizing that he earned a more important on-field role after the Blue Jays acquired him, forcing his way onto the roster during 2025 spring training and contributing in a role the organization valued for team fit.