The Blue Jays made a big statement late in the 2023 season, announcing their intentions for the postseason and releasing playoff ticket information ahead of their final home game.
This year’s main attraction was instead promotional in nature, focusing on the possibility of fans breaking the stadium record for $1 hot dogs consumed in a single season.
How much has changed in a year.
The Blue Jays, who have made the playoffs three times in the past four years, have fallen below .500 since April 30 and are likely to finish in last place in the American League East.
As the club wraps up its season with a week of home games, here are five key talking points.
The face of the franchise
Long-term plans for infielders Vladimir Guerrero Jr. and Bo Bichette have been hot topics since the homegrown prospects emerged as stars in the major leagues.
But that won’t affect the offseason, which is full of challenges for general manager Ross Akins.
Guerrero and Bichette are set to become unrestricted free agents after the 2025 campaign. If they sign extensions, the franchise’s future plans will become much clearer.
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Guerrero has found the form that saw him finish second in the 2021 American League MVP voting. Bichette, who led the AL in hits in 2021 and 2022, has had a tough year due to injuries.
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Relief is needed
A bullpen that featured a variety of weapons last year has been reduced in size this season due to trades, injuries and poor performance.
This is probably the piece the Blue Jays need most to get back into contention next season.
Closer Jordan Romano is coming off elbow surgery, Yimi Garcia has been traded, Eric Swanson is in the minors and Tim Meiza has been designated for assignment, ending his long run in Toronto.
Chad Green and Genesis Cabrera have been middling performers in the second half and have become key high-leverage options.
Start Rotation
The team’s starting rotation has a solid core of players, but more players, especially quality left-handed pitchers, would be welcome.
Veterans Jose Berrios, Kevin Gausman and Chris Bassitt provide a dependable 1-2-3 punch up front.
Yariel Rodriguez is the likely fourth option, while Bowden Francis’s second-half performance has made him a strong candidate to complete the five-man squad.
Alec Manoa, who missed most of the season after undergoing hybrid Tommy John surgery, is expected to be out until June at the earliest.
Take a look
One of the few positive aspects of taking the last spot in the rankings is the opportunity to look at rookies, prospects and recent trade acquisitions.
Players like Spencer Horwitz, Nathan Rooks, Addison Barger and Ernie Clement all got their chances this season and could be important players in 2025.
Boss Loss
The front office will be under tremendous pressure during the offseason, before the competition for key players ends.
Atkins has been GM for nearly nine years. The Blue Jays’ only playoff win during that time came in 2016, when they advanced to the ALCS with a squad largely composed of players from predecessor Alex Anthopoulos.
The Blue Jays lost two-way superstar Shohei Ohtani last year and will likely need another big swing at a top free agent (Juan Soto or Alex Bregman) this fall.
A big bat is desperately needed for an offense that has been stagnant all season, and it would also prove to the fan base and the baseball world that the Blue Jays are ready to make a big push to become a contender again.
This report by The Canadian Press was first published Sept. 22, 2024.
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© 2024 The Canadian Press
