It’s been a frustrating offseason so far for the Toronto Blue Jays. While The Blue Jays have indicated they want to contend in 2025, the team has come up short in pursuing star-free agents. Toronto’s front office is also having a hard time trying to extend all-star Vladimir Guerrero Jr’s contract. Unlike Toronto, the rest of the AL East has gotten a lot better this offseason. With how their offseason is turning out, the Toronto Blue Jays are in trouble.
The Team Decided To Try And Contend In 2025
Embed from Getty ImagesDespite coming off back-to-back postseason appearances, the Toronto Blue Jays had a season to forget last year. They finished the 2024 season in last place with a record of 74-88 and ultimately missed the postseason. Despite having a lineup featuring Vlad Jr., Bo Bichette, and George Springer, the Blue Jays only averaged 4.14 runs per game. The pitching staff also regressed badly as well. However, despite never winning a playoff series in recent years, finishing in last place, having a poor farm system, and Vlad Jr. and Bichette being free agents after next season; Toronto opted against rebuilding. The team instead indicated they were going to try and contend and be aggressive in free agency. However, their offseason so far has been frustrating and it’s starting to look like trying to contend in 2025 was a mistake.
The Blue Jays Are Currently Failing To Sign A Marquee Free Agent
While Toronto has tried to be aggressive this offseason, they haven’t had any luck. The only free agent they’ve been able to sign so far is relief pitcher Yimi Garcia. Garcia was previously with the team last year before being dealt at the trade deadline to the Seattle Mariners. While they’ve been in the mix for Max Fried, Juan Soto, Corbin Burnes, and Teoscar Hernandez; those players all decided not to come north of the border. Further adding to their offseason frustrations is that they reportedly offered more money to Burnes than the Diamondbacks, who ultimately signed him. Losing out on Fried also hurts since he’ll be pitching against them for the rival New York Yankees. This seems to have become an ongoing theme for the front office regime of Mark Shapiro and Ross Atkins.
Given their latest free agency pursuits failing, this team reeks of desperation. Most of the team-changing free agents have been signed by other clubs. The only available players who could make a difference are Alex Bregman, Pete Alonso, and Anthony Santander. However, Toronto does not need a first baseman leaving their only logical choices to be Bregman or Santander. Outside of Bregman and Santander, only middle to lower-tier free agents will be available to them.
The Front Office’s Vladimir Guerrero Jr. Extension Problem
Embed from Getty ImagesWhile the Blue Jays coming up short in signing stars, that arguably hasn’t been the team’s biggest headache this offseason. Vladimir Guerrero Jr. and Bo Bichette have one more year of control left until they are eligible for free agency. The team has opted to prioritize Vlad Jr. over Bichette. The biggest problem currently plaguing the team is that they are having a hard time extending Guerrero Jr. Vlad Jr. Reportedly, Vlad Jr. and the team are very far apart on money. Guerrero Jr. recently gave the team a deadline to get a deal done, which is the first day of camp. If the team fails to meet the deadline, negotiations will be halted until the next offseason. While the all-star first baseman prefers to stay in Toronto, the Blue Jays front office certainly isn’t taking advantage of that.
The Blue Jays Are In For An Even Worse Season In 2025
Embed from Getty ImagesWhile Toronto stayed true to being aggressive this offseason, they’ve so far failed to sign a marquee free agent. The Blue Jays have been runner-up in all their pursuits for star-free agents. Missing out on both Max Fried and Corbin Burnes was particularly frustrating. If Toronto isn’t careful, the only players that’ll be available to sign are non-impactful free agents. The much-maligned front office already isn’t doing themselves any favors by struggling to extend Vlad Jr. If this offseason is a complete failure, the team will be in for an even worse season in 2025.
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1 Comment
This is just another example how the wrong people in the head office are destroying a team. For years now I’m hoping that they will let Pete Walker go after my opinion he’s not able to adjust any pitcher to today’s pitching pattern , period! Anyway the hole team has no depth, stamina , and interest in the game it seems it’s all coming down to collect the money for doing a less than mediocre appearance over the last seasons. Gibby knew obviously what’s coming down the pipe with head office and did the right thing to leave the ship. I was a loyal Blue Jay for years but I certainly can’t support a management which is absolutely not able to build a competitive team and is not interested at all to hold up the flag for our country and the only hope we have in Canada in the MLB. Sad but true! Not a Blue Jay anymore.