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Does Nathan Lukes Have Future with Toronto Blue Jays?
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- Does Nathan Lukes Have Future with Toronto Blue Jays?
(Daniel Kucin Jr.-Imagn Images)
After a 2026 season that saw them miss the playoffs by going 79-83, there are plenty of questions for the Toronto Blue Jays this winter.
Several of those questions are big, like "how do they get Vladimir Guerrero Jr. back on track?" However, even smaller questions can have interesting tentacles that are worth exploring, so let's examine this situation:
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What is the future for outfielder Nathan Lukes? Because it's actually pretty layered, and whatever the Jays decide can dictate other parts of their offseason.
The Nathan Lukes file
Now 32 years old, Lukes is a four-year veteran of the Blue Jays who has appeared in 311 games over the last four years.
He was an integral part of the 2025 World Series team, hitting .255 with 12 homers and 65 RBIs in 135 games. This year, he hit .277 with 10 homers in 125 games. He created a 2.3 bWAR, but posted just a 96 OPS+, suggesting he was a slightly below average player.
He's under team control through 2030, so he has four more years left with the Blue Jays if they want it.
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MLBTradeRumors has predicted him to make $2.9 million through arbitration.
Option 1: Keep him and start him
Lukes has been a good player for two years - when healthy - and this team needs more good players. Brett Bateman and Addison Barger figure to also start next year, so the outfield would be extremely left-handed, but as long as the Jays sign a bench bat that's right-handed and can platoon, they'll be good.
Option 2: Keep him and use him in a bench role
I've said many times that I think the aforementioned outfield would be too left-handed and redundant, so I think the Jays should explore the likes of Randy Arozarena and Seiya Suzuki in free agency. If they are able to land one of them, Lukes can become a very serviceable fourth outfielder. And to have one of those at around $3 million is still a steal. And with multiple years left of team control.
Toronto Blue Jays right fielder Nathan Lukes (38) hits a single during the third inning in Game 2 of a doubleheader against the Baltimore Orioles at Oriole Park at Camden Yards. Daniel Kucin Jr.-Imagn Images
Option 3: Keep him and trade him
The Blue Jays could tender him a contract and trade him this offseason in an effort to turn their left-handed surplus into something valuable for the future. Perhaps that could be a major league bullpen arm, or perhaps it could be a prospect that you take a flier on.
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Option 4: Non-tender him
Maybe the Blue Jays just simply don't want to pay $3 million or so for a fourth outfielder-type. If they don't, they could save the money and move on entirely.
The wild card in all this
What exactly is the plan for Anthony Santander? We think that Santander is best suited to be a full-time designated hitter, but if the Jays have designs on giving him reps in the outfield, then that could impact Lukes as well.
The Blue Jays have until late November to make decisions on tendering contracts to their eight arbitration-eligible players.
