Blue Jays in ’26: Why Limiting Damage Matters More Than Adding Power

2025 will go down as one of the greatest seasons in Toronto Blue Jays franchise history. Now that the dust has settled from their heartbreaking runner-up finish to the Los Angeles Dodgers in a thrilling seven-game dogfight, some basic analysis—combined with a bit of research—reveals a satisfying conclusion.

It’s time to raise a glass and toast the Toronto Blue Jays as early winners of the offseason.

This doesn’t mean Bo Bichette bobbleheads are flying off shelves as the top Toronto gift item, as a result of completing a long-term deal with their All-Star shortstop. It also doesn’t mean hosting free-agent outfielder Kyle Tucker at their impressive spring training facility in Dunedin has suddenly elevated “The Six” to the top of Tucker’s destination wish list.

What’s Up With Bo?

Yet those two stars have almost completely consumed the fanbase’s collective focus when it comes to upgrading the Jays’ roster. With Bo back at shortstop long term, hitting ahead of Vladimir Guerrero Jr., and Kyle Tucker added to the mix, the Jays would be “unstoppable,” according to just about everyone.

Those are the moves—either through addition or return—that many believe would finally topple every team, even the Dodgers.

Here’s the thing, though. They aren’t. And they won’t.

The 2025 Blue Jays deserve to be celebrated for their magical playoff run. The charge was led by Guerrero Jr., who rechanneled the elite talent we always knew was there and completely dominated. Springer, Clement, Lukes, Kirk, and Barger followed suit. Defensively, anchored by Andrés Giménez, the Jays consistently rose to the moment in ways that budding dynasties must.

With a strengthened starting rotation and legitimate competition for role one through five, the Blue Jays are positioned to get even better—with or without Bichette, never mind Tucker.

This isn’t about another division run. It’s about building something heavier.

Dynasty.

One Area Of Need

The Jays are positioning themselves to separate from the rest of the American League, regardless of any recent—or future—moves in an increasingly thin free-agent class.

The 2025 team, which came mere centimetres from winning it all, addressed the one glaring flaw that plagued them throughout the regular season and the playoffs: the costly home run.

Toronto finished near the bottom of MLB in home runs allowed, only marginally better than the 43–119 Colorado Rockies. Anyone watching the postseason saw it clearly. The bullpen, in particular, was vulnerable to giving up bombs in the most damaging moments.

Too Hard, Too High!

As reliable as Luis Varland and closer Jeff Hoffman were—and especially in Varland’s case, armed with elite triple-digit velocity—the ball too often came screaming right back at them, launched with exit velocities and trajectories that no defense can offset.

So the Jays adjusted.

To ease that pressure, Toronto acquired relief specialists Tyler Rogers and Chase Lee. Both are sidewinders. Both rely on movement, deception, and weak contact. And both rarely give up home runs.

By doing this, the Jays filled a gaping hole in their roster profile. They were a team capable of winning the World Series while simultaneously giving up far too many damaging home runs. Now, at least in high-leverage relief spots, they’re built to limit that damage.

End Of Blue Jays’ Rant

Mark Shapiro, Ross Atkins, and the Jays’ front office appear to be applying a Thomas Paine–level dose of common sense: identify what’s broken and fix it decisively, with minimal collateral damage.

So far this offseason, that’s exactly what they’ve done.

Toronto fans can raise a glass.