The Blue Jays are again looking to do something big — and they probably need to get it done this year. Memorably, the Blue Jays pursued Shohei Ohtani last year before he chose the Los Angeles Dodgers. The Blue Jays then went on to have a massively disappointing season, finishing last in the American League East. The team has vowed to try and compete again in 2025 — the final year Vladimir Guerrero Jr. and Bo Bichette are under team contract — and all signs suggest the Blue Jays should have a payroll similar to what they’ve had in recent seasons, which has seen them willing to go over the competitive balance tax threshold. It’s just a matter of if they can actually get the big deals done this year.
Notable free agents
Greatest needs
The Blue Jays need to improve their offense. It’s been on a downward trend since it peaked in 2021, and this past season, they ranked 23rd in runs scored. They need to balance their lineup, both with handedness and adding players who can hit for power with others who can regularly get on base.
The bullpen is another priority. As it stands, they probably need to acquire at least three to four relievers with experience pitching in leverage. Toronto needs a closer, too, after non-tendering Jordan Romano (now with the Phillies). The Blue Jays do have a full rotation, but they could always upgrade it as Kevin Gausman and Chris Bassitt are in their mid-30s, and Bowden Francis and Yariel Rodriguez are still relatively inexperienced.
Trade candidates
Naturally, the two big names are Guerrero and Bichette, who are entering the last season of team control before they are scheduled to hit free agency. But the Blue Jays front office has maintained they’re not interested in trading either of them. If the Blue Jays sign a front-line starter, it opens up the possibility that they could move one of Bassitt (who is in the last year of his contract) or Gausman (who has two years remaining). Additionally, the Blue Jays have a glut of young infielders who could all reasonably be dangled in trade talks. These infielders include Spencer Horwitz, Davis Schneider, Leo Jiménez, Will Wagner, Orelvis Martinez and Addison Barger.
Prospects on the verge
After trading away all their veteran players on expiring contracts at the deadline, the Blue Jays essentially spent the last two months of last season auditioning their young players to see who could fit into the long-term plans. Leo Jimenez can play shortstop (if Bichette eventually departs in free agency) and Horwitz can play first base (if Guerrero leaves). Orelvis Martinez and Will Wagner are both options for second base, while Addison Barger can play third. None of those young players have the high-ceiling potential of Bichette and Guerrero. (You could make an argument Martinez does, although he is coming off an 80-game suspension for PEDs and will need to prove himself this season.)
One big question
Will the Blue Jays sign Guerrero to a long-term contract?
This is the pivotal question facing the Blue Jays this offseason (and into next season, potentially). Guerrero is coming off an exceptional year, in which he re-established himself as one of the premier bats in the majors after a couple of down years (for him). He recorded 199 hits, 30 home runs and his .940 OPS ranked fifth in the American League. Since he debuted as a 20-year-old in 2019, he has been the face of the franchise. He’s the type of hitter a team dreams of building around. Yet, the Blue Jays and Guerrero have yet to agree on a long-term deal – despite Guerrero saying he’s interested in remaining in Toronto. The Blue Jays big splash this winter could be inking Guerrero to a long-term deal, but perhaps the first baseman is waiting to see what the team plans to do to support the roster around him before deciding whether to stay or go.
