Toronto Blue Jays have free-agent interest in two former New York Yankees players

The Toronto Blue Jays know they have to improve after finishing last in the AL East, and so far, they appear to be one of the most active teams in free agency.

Earlier this week, the Blue Jays were rumoured to be one of six teams scheduled to meet with two-time Cy Young Award winner Tarik Skubal, and they reportedly have interest in a pair of former New York Yankees players.

According to Sportsnet's Shi Davidi, the Blue Jays' front office met with representatives for second baseman Jazz Chisholm Jr. on Wednesday in Las Vegas.

Chisholm spent parts of the last three seasons with the Yankees, hitting a combined .237 for 61 home runs over that span. But arguably the best part of Chisholm's game is the threat he brings to the basepaths.

Interesting development from @ShiDavidi, who writes that Jazz Chisholm Jr. is “open to a versatile defensive role in which he moves between multiple positions, including the outfield”

— Ben Nicholson-Smith (@bnicholsonsmith) November 12, 2026

Last season, he finished fourth in MLB with 41 stolen bases. The Blue Jays, in comparison, had just 71 stolen bases as a team all season, so Chisholm's production hypothetically would have made up nearly 58 per cent of Toronto's total.

If the Blue Jays were to land Chisholm, he may not slot into the second base role he has previously played 237 games at for the Yankees over the past two seasons. Davidi reports that he's open to having a "more versatile defensive role" that could see him play second base and possibly in the outfield.

If he did play second base for Toronto, next season could look a little different for 2026 All-Star Ernie Clement. 

It's a change this offseason that GM Ross Atkins doesn't appear to be afraid of making, as he ended the season saying Clement would have to earn his reps at second base come 2027.

Chisholm isn't the only former Yankees player the Toronto Blue Jays have reportedly met with. According to Jon Heyman of the New York Post, Toronto is also interested in Nicaraguan right-handed relief pitcher Jonathan Loáisiga.

Yankees, Mets and Blue Jays are among many teams in on ex-Yankee reliever Jonathan Loaisiga, who had a big year in Arizona (2.42 ERA, 1.03 WHIP)

— Jon Heyman (@JonHeyman) November 12, 2026

Loáisiga is coming off a strong season with the Arizona Diamondbacks, where he pitched in a career-high 67 games and posted a 2.42 ERA. His 1.03 WHIP also ranked among the top 15 relievers in the National League.

Before landing in Arizona, the 32-year-old spent the previous eight seasons in the Yankees' bullpen. And Rogers Centre happens to be a place he's pitched very well. In his 12 appearances against the Blue Jays in Toronto, he has a 1-0 record and has held hitters to an ERA of 2.35.

If Toronto were to sign him, Loáisiga would likely slot into a late-inning reliever role as a setup man to award-winning closer Louis Varland.

Jonathan Loáisiga previously pitched eight seasons with the New York Yankees. (Wendell Cruz/Imagn Images)

A concern that comes with Loáisiga, though, is his injury history.

He had a bone spur removed from his elbow during the 2023 season, tore the UCL in his throwing arm in 2024, and then suffered a flexor strain that kept him off the Yankees' postseason roster in 2025.

Given the risk with Loáisiga, he might not command a lot of interest or a large contract in free agency, which could make him a potential low-risk, high-reward bullpen option for Toronto.