Looks like this could be George Springer's final year with the Toronto Blue Jays

Springer is under contract through 2026, so the extension talk is more timing than urgency. The front office can use that runway to test real fit, not just vibes.

Contract-wise, the six-year, $150 million deal signed in January 2021 still carries a big final-year number. Spotrac lists a $22.5 million base salary for 2026, which frames any added years as a new bet.

The case for betting is obvious after 2025, when Springer hit .309 with a .399 OBP and 32 homers in 140 games. He drove in 84 runs batted in, stole 18 bases, and posted a .959 OPS at age 35.

Fans still replay that bounce-back because it changed the shape of Toronto's lineup from April through October. Statcast backed it with a .408 wOBA and a 16.1 percent barrel rate, but age 36 seasons rarely copy-paste cleanly.

Fit matters too, because Springer and Anthony Santander both profile best with frequent DH days and corner-outfield reps. Across a season, that overlap squeezes flexibility when center field defense or pinch-running needs a specialist.

Santander's 2025 gave little clarity, injuries held him to 54 games and he hit .175 with six homers. Toronto committed five years and $92.5 million to him, so a rebound would change the math on at-bats.

That is why the cleanest process is patience, letting 2026 answer how close Springer's next season is to his last. If the production holds and the roster fit works, extension talks can shift from sentiment to numbers quickly.

Unfortunately for the Blue Jays, Springer is not the only aging player that they have on an expiring contract as Kevin Gausman is basically in the exact same situation.

Springer's preferences also matter, since some veterans value finishing a career in one market and one clubhouse. Until those pieces line up, 2026 looks like the right proving ground for everyone involved.

Source: Sportsnet