Toronto Blue Jays could be perfect landing spot for this Canadian pitcher

With MLB free agency just days away, the Toronto Blue Jays have some important decisions to make.

The biggest priority for the front office will likely be adding a power hitter to the outfield who can provide an immediate boost to the lineup. But Toronto also needs to address its depleted starting rotation, and a Canadian pitcher could quite possibly be the perfect fit.

With José Berríos potentially out for the 2027 season, recovering from Tommy John surgery, and Max Scherzer and Shane Bieber heading into free agency, the Blue Jays could be looking to add one or even two starters.

One potential target is 29-year-old Canadian right-hander Michael Soroka.

The Calgary native is coming off the second-best season of his MLB career with the Arizona Diamondbacks, recording 21 starts, a 3.41 ERA and 114 strikeouts over 116 innings.

IMMACULATE INNING FOR MICHAEL SOROKA! 10 strikeouts through 5 innings in his @Dbacks debut! https://t.co/M9hopu3jxN

— MLB (@MLB) March 31, 2026

Soroka posted a better WHIP last season than Blue Jays ace Dylan Cease and allowed less contact than reigning AL Cy Young Award winner Tarik Skubal, who is expected to be one of the most sought-after starting pitchers come Nov. 1.

Since being drafted by the Atlanta Braves in 2015, Soroka has pitched for five organizations over seven seasons. He's recorded a 3.76 career ERA and earned an NL All-Star nod in 2019.

While Soroka won't command the same payday as Skubal, he could be available for significantly less, which would give Toronto's front office some flexibility to pursue another starter or address its long-standing need for another left-handed bullpen arm.

The right-hander could slot into the middle of Toronto's rotation behind Cease and José Soriano and Trey Yesavage. And with Soroka being a Calgary native, the move just makes sense with the organization having another opportunity to add another Canadian to its roster.

The direction in which Toronto will go in a few days is unclear, as there are so many questions around what the team exactly needs to get back to become a World Series contender.

GM Ross Atkins said during his end-of-season press conference that every area of the team would be assessed before free agency opens, and that between the end of September and Nov. 1 his staff will drill down on every area to understand where the Blue Jays need to improve.