[3] Of the five major league free agents of the Blue Jays, John McDonald was the only one to re-sign with the team, accepting a two-year, $3 million deal.

On January 13, 2010, the Blue Jays signed four minor leaguers, Chris Lubanski, Willie Collazo, Jorge Padilla and Jesús Merchán.

[9] The next day, Jeremy Accardo, Shawn Camp, Jason Frasor, Casey Janssen and Brian Tallet[8] signed one-year deals with the club.

Ricciardi had received criticism for signing bulky, no-trade-clause contracts to players such as Vernon Wells, Frank Thomas, Alex Ríos and B. J. Ryan; three of the four were eventually released.

In other drafts, such as the one in 2005,[13] he narrowly missed out on a franchise player, like Ryan Braun and one pick later, got Ricky Romero, who took more time to develop.

After the death of Blue Jays owner Ted Rogers following the 2008 season, speculation has also surrounded a potential change in team ownership.

Home attendance reached its lowest since the 2003 season, and the Jays' management pursued attempts to shed payroll, including the releases of B. J. Ryan and Alex Ríos and the trade of Scott Rolen to the Cincinnati Reds.

On October 21, 2009, during an interview with radio station Fan 590, Tony Viner, the president and CEO of the company's media division that also controls the Blue Jays, stated emphatically that, "the team is not for sale.

Some fans cancelled Blue Jays ticket purchases in protest,[66] but Paul Beeston, the team president, has stated he is very happy to be going with Sportsnet One.

[67] The FAN 590 was the Jays flagship radio station with Jerry Howarth and Alan Ashby calling the games, and Mike Wilner was the third man in the booth at times, and the post-game host.

Encarnación suffered minor facial injuries to the front and right side of his face after he was struck by a firecracker rocket near his jaw and it exploded.

Shaun Marcum also underwent Tommy John surgery after he went down late in 2008, and while a September 2009 return was possible, the Jays decided to sideline him for the rest of 2009.

A couple of days before pitchers and catchers reported for training, Scott Richmond was sidetracked with a shoulder impingement,[71] which can be a sign of tendinitis or an actual tear of the rotator cuff.

[73] The first injury during the season was a significant one, as All-Star second baseman Aaron Hill was placed on the 15-Day DL with a tight hamstring on April 12.

As expected the Blue Jays are entering 2010 as re-builders, due to the loss of hitters (Barajas and Scutaro) to free agency, and the blockbuster trade of their long-time ace Roy Halladay for non-MLB ready prospects.

[75] In the offseason, retired second baseman Roberto Alomar finished eight votes shy of being inducted into the Baseball Hall of Fame on his first ballot.

Alomar was inducted into the Canadian Baseball Hall of Fame on January 28, along with former Toronto pitcher Paul Quantrill and two others (Calvin Griffith and statistician Allan Roth).

J. P. Arencibia hit a 2-run home run in the top of the 9th to break a 7–7 tie, and ultimately give the Jays a 9–7 win as Rommie Lewis closed the game out in the bottom of the ninth.

In Buck Martinez's play-by-play debut, Aaron Hill hit a two-run shot in the first inning to help jumpstart the Jays.

Aaron Hill hit his second straight first inning shot to jumpstart the Jays again, and Edwin Encarnación ended a disappointing spring with a 3-run home run.

Vernon Wells continued his good start by homering twice, while Toronto starter Brian Tallet pitched a quality game and earned a win.

The next day, Toronto was dealt a scare, as All-Star second baseman Aaron Hill was a late scratch due to a hamstring injury.

Mike Gonzalez entered the game to close it out, but like Thursday, Toronto rallied in the 9th for 2 runs to pull ahead for good.

the Jays added insurance thanks to an Álex González solo shot (his second of the day), and Edwin Encarnación's first home run of 2010.

Romero struck out 12 and took a no-hitter into the 8th before A. J. Pierzynski was hit on a questionable call, and Alex Ríos ended the no-hit bid with a 2-run home run.

"[81] The writer of that article (Joe Cowley), was also causing controversy[citation needed] for comments made about Canadian culture and the Jays organization.

A first-inning Vernon Wells home run spotted starter Shaun Marcum – making his first start since September 16, 2008 – to a 2–0 lead.

Chicago came back to tie the game, thanks to a solo shot by Andruw Jones and an RBI single by Mark Teahen that scored Alex Ríos.

The game stayed tied until the 11th when Teahen struck again this time with an RBI triple that scored pinch runner Omar Vizquel from first base.

However, on May 12, the Blue Jays announced the series would be moved to Philadelphia's Citizens Bank Park due to logistical and security concerns brought about by the G20 Summit.