Blue Jays’ offseason savings...

The franchise hasn’t shied away from that avenue in previous years, signing Hyun Jin Ryu during the 2019-20 offseason, George Springer in 2021 and Kevin Gausman last winter. They also extended José Berríos to a seven-year, $131-million contract a year ago.

So Rogers Communications, which owns the Blue Jays, certainly isn’t afraid to invest in this team, which should prove valuable again between now and spring training.

It helps that trading Teoscar Hernández saved a projected $14.1 million, according to MLB Trade Rumors’ arbitration projections. The team also opened up a projected $6.5 million by non-tendering outfielders Raimel Tapia and Bradley Zimmer.

Japan’s Kodai Senga might not be in the same tier as Verlander and Rodón, though he’s another impact hurler that would be a realistic target for the Blue Jays. And their interest level has likely skyrocketed since acquiring additional spending room.

Like Rodón, the fellow 29-year-old could potentially command a lucrative five-year deal via free agency. But signing the right-hander wouldn’t cost the franchise a posting fee or draft-pick compensation, as he already carries at least nine years of professional experience.

Senga is coming off a tremendous 2022 performance, earning a 1.89 ERA and a 2.76 FIP across 23 starts with Nippon Professional Baseball’s Fukuoka SoftBank Hawks. He also racked up 159 strikeouts over 148.0 innings, logging a 27.4 percent strikeout rate.

The franchise would need to acquire Hernández’s replacement via trade if management spent his savings on a starting pitcher. Though trading for Bryan Reynolds, Alek Thomas, Daulton Varsho, Lars Nootbar, Jesse Winker or Ian Happ would improve the outfield.

But before the Blue Jays can seriously pursue these outfielders, they must determine how much they’re willing to spend on this winter’s free-agent class of starting pitchers.