Daulton Varsho, the Toronto Blue Jays’ centre-fielder, faced a turbulent 2025 campaign in Dunedin, Florida, as ongoing shoulder and hamstring issues limited him to just 71 games. Despite these setbacks, the 29-year-old Wisconsin native exhibited his highest level of performance in many stretches, showcasing his true potential. His ability to hit 20 home runs in only 248 at-bats set a pace that projected to 45 over a full season, and his .833 on-base-plus-slugging percentage surpassed his previous best of .755, highlighting his offensive growth.
Focused on sustaining this progress, Varsho entered the offseason hoping for better health in the upcoming seasons. His commitment to a consistent approach at the plate rather than chasing new tweaks became a cornerstone for his development.
Emphasizing a Natural Hitting Style Under New Coaching Guidance
Varsho has refined his hitting philosophy, emphasizing making solid contact and letting his natural power manifest, rather than forcing his swing. He explained,
“Since last year, I’ve understood that I’m really good at putting the ball in the air, I don’t need to do it, it naturally happens.”
He added,
“It’s more about me getting on top of the baseball, using my top hand and knowing that if I try to hit a ground ball to the pitcher, I’m probably going to elevate it.”
These adjustments came from the work he began with hitting coach David Popkins before the 2025 season, which led to a more stable and repeatable batting approach.
Trade Arrival and Free Agency Outlook
Varsho joined the Blue Jays in 2023, acquired from the Arizona Diamondbacks in exchange for catcher Gabriel Moreno and outfielder Lourdes Gurriel Jr. Now, with the end of the 2026 season approaching, Varsho is preparing to enter free agency as one of the top position players available on the market. Alongside peers like Bo Bichette, Jazz Chisholm Jr., Nico Hoerner, and Eugenio Suárez, Varsho ranks among the most sought-after talents.
Blue Jays general manager Ross Atkins publicly expressed interest in a long-term deal for Varsho as early as last year, but the involvement of prominent agent Scott Boras complicates negotiations due to Boras’s preference for taking clients to the open market to maximize their earnings by creating competitive bidding among teams.
Relationships with Scott Boras and the Blue Jays’ Position
Although the Blue Jays have improved their relationship with Boras in recent years—signing players like Hyun-Jin Ryu, Yusei Kikuchi, Dylan Cease, and Kuzuma Okamoto—it remains unlikely that they will reach a long-term agreement with Varsho before free agency. The agent’s influence suggests any early discussions would be premature and probably unproductive.
Varsho himself is cautious about contract talks. When asked about potential negotiations, he said,
“I stay out of those conversations, I don’t want to be in them. Ross has mentioned that he wants me to be here long term, but we’ll see.”
He also reflected positively on his time with the Blue Jays, stating,
“I love being here, they treat families really well and they do everything to kind of keep players here. I was blessed to be able to come here in the trade from Arizona and I’ve enjoyed my time. I’m going to keep enjoying it.”
Progress in Consistency Key to Future Success
One of Varsho’s most significant breakthroughs recently has been finding a consistent swing approach, after years of experimenting with different techniques. Blue Jays manager John Schneider observed,
“Varsh, the first couple years he was here, I felt like he was tweaking a lot of things. He was wide, he was leg-kicking, his hands were in different spots.”
Schneider added,
“He’s been really consistent since this time last year, and I think understanding how his swing works a little bit more each day. Getting him healthy for a (full) year will be big.”
This stability may be the crucial factor determining Varsho’s 2026 performance and future contract negotiations.
Health as the Deciding Factor for Varsho’s Contract Value
The uncertainty surrounding Varsho’s next contract primarily depends on his physical condition during the 2026 season. If hamstring and shoulder troubles persist, he may only attract short-term offers or one-year deals. However, a career-best year could place him among the highest-paid position players entering free agency.
Earlier opportunities to sign Varsho long term vanished once Boras became involved, making the current situation similar to that of Bo Bichette, who also entered his recent camp without contract agreements or clear expectations with his team or agent. Jays supporters hope the negotiations with Varsho will lead to a more favorable outcome.
