The 2016 Toronto Blue Jays season was the 40th season of the franchise in Major League Baseball, and the 27th full season of play (28th overall) at Rogers Centre. They advanced to the playoffs where they defeated the Baltimore Orioles in the ALWC Game and for the second year in a row, besting the Texas Rangers in the ALDS, reaching the ALCS, before losing in five games to the Cleveland Indians.

Off–season General manager Alex Anthopoulos rejected a five-year contract extension on October 29, 2015, and team president Paul Beeston retired on October 31. New Blue Jays president and CEO Mark Shapiro, who assumed the roles on November 2, 2015, announced that Tony LaCava was assigned as the interim general manager and that John Gibbons would remain as the manager. On November 6, 2015, a $15.8 million qualifying offer was extended to Marco Estrada. David Price was not eligible for a qualifying offer, as he was acquired mid-season. Estrada signed a two-year, $26 million contract on November 13.

On November 20, the Blue Jays signed Humberto Quintero to a minor league contract, and acquired Jesse Chavez from the Oakland Athletics for Liam Hendriks. 3 days later, the team signed Casey Kotchman, Jiovanni Mier, and David Adams to minor league contracts that included invitations to spring training. On November 24, Scott Diamond was signed to a minor league contract and invited to spring training. J. A. Happ, who was traded by the Blue Jays to the Seattle Mariners for Michael Saunders before the 2015 season, was signed to a three-year, $36 million contract on November 27. David Price agreed to a seven-year, $217 million contract with the Boston Red Sox on December 1. Justin Smoak, who was eligible for salary arbitration, was signed to a one-year, $3.9 million contract on December 2. Third baseman Josh Donaldson, outfielders Ben Revere and Michael Saunders, and pitchers Jesse Chavez, Drew Hutchison, Steve Delabar, Brett Cecil, and Aaron Loup were also tendered contracts. Catcher Josh Thole was not tendered a contract by the December 2 deadline, and became a free agent. On December 3, Ross Atkins was named the new general manager replacing LaCava. Thole signed a one-year, $800,000 contract with the Blue Jays on December 4.

Mark Lowe signed a two-year contract with the Detroit Tigers on December 8, for $11 million. In the Rule 5 draft on December 10, the Blue Jays selected pitcher Joe Biagini from the San Francisco Giants organization. Darwin Barney officially re-signed with the team on December 11. Wade LeBlanc was signed to a minor league contract on December 17. On December 18, Junior Lake was claimed off waivers, and signed Scott Copeland, Roberto Hernández, Pat McCoy, and Brad Penny to minor league contracts with invitations to spring training. Brandon Bixler and Gabe Noyalis were signed to minor-league contracts on December 29. On January 5, 2016, Arnold León was acquired from the Oakland Athletics for cash or a player to be named later. Three days later, outfielder Ben Revere and a player to be named later were traded to the Washington Nationals for reliever Drew Storen.

On January 12, pitchers Brett Cecil, Jesse Chavez, Steve Delabar, Drew Hutchison, Aaron Loup, and Drew Storen filed for salary arbitration, along with position players Josh Donaldson and Michael Saunders. Cecil, Delabar, Loup, Hutchison, and Storen agreed to a one-year contracts worth $3.8 million, $835,000, $1.05 million, $2.2 million, and $8.375 million respectively on January 15. Saunders agreed to a $2.9 million contract. Chavez and Donaldson did not come to an agreement before the deadline. Chavez had requested $4 million, while the Blue Jays offered $3.6 million. Donaldson filed for $11.8 million, and the Blue Jays offered $11.35 million. On January 18, Daniel Schlereth was signed to a minor league contract. Maicer Izturis, who was under contract with the Blue Jays for the 2015 season but did not play for the team due to various injuries, was signed to a minor league contract on January 29. On February 2, outfielder Darrell Ceciliani was acquired from the New York Mets for a player to be named later. David Aardsma was added to the list of non-roster invitees on February 5.

On February 6, it was announced that Chavez had won his arbitration case, and would receive a $4 million salary for the season. In addition, Gavin Floyd signed a one-year, $1 million contract with the Blue Jays, and Chad Jenkins was designated for assignment. On February 10, Donaldson avoided arbitration by signing a two-year, $28.65 million extension that would pay him $11.65 million in 2016, and $17 million in 2017. Colt Hynes, who spent most of the 2015 season with the Buffalo Bisons, was signed to a minor league contract on February 12. Three days before pitchers and catchers were scheduled to report to Dunedin, catcher Tony Sanchez was signed to a minor league contract with an invitation to spring training. Outfielder Domonic Brown and reliever Rafael Soriano were also added to the organization, each receiving a minor league contract and an invitation to spring training in late February.

At Rogers Centre, a full dirt infield was installed prior to the home opener; for the previous six seasons (2010–15), it was the only MLB ballpark with

Trades Date Team in transaction Player(s) acquired Player(s) departed November 20, 2015 Oakland Athletics Jesse Chavez Liam Hendriks January 5, 2016 Oakland Athletics Arnold León Cash considerations or a player to be named later January 8, 2016 Washington Nationals Drew Storen Ben ReverePlayer to be named later February 2, 2016 New York Mets Darrell Ceciliani Player to be named later

Free agency

In Date Player Former team Details November 9, 2015 Bobby Korecky Minor league contract November 13, 2015 Marco Estrada Two-year, $26 million contract November 20, 2015 Humberto Quintero Boston Red Sox Minor league contract with an invitation to spring training November 23, 2015 Casey Kotchman Kansas City Royals Minor league contract with an invitation to spring training November 23, 2015 Jiovanni Mier Houston Astros Minor league contract with an invitation to spring training November 23, 2015 David Adams Miami Marlins Minor league contract with an invitation to spring training November 24, 2015 Scott Diamond Tampa Bay Rays Minor league contract with an invitation to spring training November 27, 2015 J. A. Happ Pittsburgh Pirates Three-year, $36 million contract December 4, 2015 Josh Thole One-year, $800,000 contract December 11, 2015 Darwin Barney One-year, $1.05 million contract December 17, 2015 Wade LeBlanc Saitama Seibu Lions Minor league contract with an invitation to spring training December 18, 2015 Scott Copeland Minor league contract with an invitation to spring training December 18, 2015 Roberto Hernández Houston Astros Minor league contract with an invitation to spring training December 18, 2015 Pat McCoy Baltimore Orioles Minor league contract with an invitation to spring training December 18, 2015 Brad Penny Chicago White Sox Minor league contract with an invitation to spring training December 29, 2015 Brandon Bixler Minnesota Twins Minor league contract December 29, 2015 Gabe Noyalis Did not play in 2015 Minor league contract January 18, 2016 Daniel Schlereth Chicago Cubs Minor league contract January 29, 2016 Maicer Izturis Minor league contract with an invitation to spring training February 5, 2016 David Aardsma Atlanta Braves Minor league contract with an invitation to spring training February 6, 2016 Gavin Floyd Cleveland Indians One-year, $1 million contract February 8, 2016 Colt Hynes Minor league contract February 19, 2016 Tony Sanchez Pittsburgh Pirates Minor league contract with an invitation to spring training February 25, 2016 Domonic Brown Philadelphia Phillies Minor league contract with an invitation to spring training February 28, 2016 Rafael Soriano Chicago Cubs Minor league contract with an invitation to spring training

Out Date Player New team Details November 18, 2015 Cliff Pennington Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim Two-year, $4 million contract November 23, 2015 Steve Tolleson Baltimore Orioles Minor league contract with an invitation to spring training December 1, 2015 David Price Boston Red Sox Seven-year, $217 million contract December 4, 2015 Dioner Navarro Chicago White Sox One-year, $4 million contract December 8, 2015 Mark Lowe Detroit Tigers Two-year, $11 million contract January 8, 2016 Jonathan Diaz New York Yankees Minor league contract January 21, 2016 Munenori Kawasaki Chicago Cubs Minor league contract with an invitation to spring training

Waivers

In Date Player Former team December 18, 2015 Junior Lake Baltimore Orioles

Spring training

Shortly after pitchers and catchers reported to Dunedin for the start of spring training on February 22, José Bautista addressed the media regarding his contract situation. Bautista, in the final year of a five-year, $65 million contract, stated that he had told the Blue Jays the length of contract he was seeking as well as the compensation of said contract, and that he would not negotiate or agree to a "hometown discount". The following day, TSN's Rick Westhead reported that Bautista had requested a five-year, $150 million contract. The report was later refuted by Bautista. While Bautista's contract situation was unfolding, the Blue Jays, Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim, and Cincinnati Reds were reported to be in agreement on a trade that would have sent Michael Saunders to the Angels, Jay Bruce to the Blue Jays, and unnamed prospects from the Angels and Blue Jays to the Reds. Hours after the trade was made public, reports surfaced that the deal was on hold due to issues with an unknown player's physical.

On March 4, Maicer Izturis unexpectedly announced his retirement, stating "I put my heart, my soul and my body into it this year to see how I was going to feel, but my body couldn't handle it anymore. So I decided this is the last time I'm going to be playing baseball." He had appeared in one game for the Blue Jays to that point, going hitless in two at-bats. On March 18, Brad Penny, who had joined the Blue Jays on a minor league contract, announced his retirement. Two days later, Rafael Soriano announced his retirement as well. Soriano signed a minor league contract with the Blue Jays in late February, but did not appear in any spring training games due to unspecified visa issues.

On March 23, Marcus Stroman was named the Opening Day starter for the Blue Jays. The competition for fifth starter ended on March 28, when John Gibbons announced that Aaron Sanchez had earned the final rotation spot. Steve Delabar, who had been an All-Star for the Blue Jays in 2013, was released on March 29, along with Randy Choate. The final roles left to be determined were the fourth outfielder, closer, and remainder of the bullpen pitchers. On March 30, John Gibbons announced that Ezequiel Carrera would be the fourth outfielder, Roberto Osuna would begin the season in the closer's role, and Arnold León, Joe Biagini, and Ryan Tepera would round out the bullpen positions. Gibbons also announced that Marco Estrada and Aaron Loup would open the season on the disabled list. To close spring training, the Blue Jays returned to Montreal's Olympic Stadium for a two-game series against the Red Sox.

Standings

American League East

American League Wild Card

Records vs opponents