It’s been a irritating offseason thus far for the Toronto Blue Jays. Whereas The Blue Jays have indicated they need to contend in 2025, the crew has come up brief in pursuing star-free brokers. Toronto’s entrance workplace can be having a tough time making an attempt to increase all-star Vladimir Guerrero Jr’s contract. In contrast to Toronto, the remainder of the AL East has gotten rather a lot higher this offseason. With how their offseason is popping out, the Toronto Blue Jays are in bother.
The Staff Determined To Attempt And Contend In 2025
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Regardless of coming off back-to-back postseason appearances, the Toronto Blue Jays had a season to overlook final season. They completed the 2024 season in final place with a document of 74-88 and finally missed the postseason. Regardless of having a lineup that includes Vlad Jr., Bo Bichette, and George Springer, the Blue Jays solely averaged 4.14 runs per sport. The pitching workers additionally regressed badly as properly. Nonetheless, regardless of by no means successful a playoff collection lately, ending in final place, having a poor farm system, and Vlad Jr. and Bichette being free brokers after subsequent season; Toronto opted in opposition to rebuilding. The crew as an alternative indicated they have been going to attempt to contend and be aggressive in free company. Nonetheless, their offseason thus far has been irritating and it’s beginning to appear like making an attempt to contend in 2025 was a mistake.
The Blue Jays Are At present Failing To Signal A Marquee Free Agent
Whereas Toronto has tried to be aggressive this offseason, they haven’t had any luck. The one free agent they’ve been capable of signal thus far is aid pitcher Yimi Garcia. Garcia was beforehand with the crew final 12 months earlier than being dealt on the commerce deadline to the Seattle Mariners. Whereas they’ve been within the combine for Max Fried, Juan Soto, Corbin Burnes, and Teoscar Hernandez; these gamers all determined to not come north of the border. Additional including to their offseason frustrations is that they reportedly provided more cash to Burnes than the Diamondbacks, who finally signed him. Shedding out on Fried additionally hurts since he’ll be pitching in opposition to them for the rival New York Yankees. This appears to have grow to be an ongoing theme for the entrance workplace regime of Mark Shapiro and Ross Atkins.
Given their newest free company pursuits failing, this crew reeks of desperation. Many of the team-changing free brokers have been signed by different golf equipment. The one accessible gamers who might make a distinction are Alex Bregman, Pete Alonso, and Anthony Santander. Nonetheless, Toronto doesn’t want a primary baseman leaving their solely logical decisions to be Bregman or Santander. Outdoors of Bregman and Santander, solely center to lower-tier free brokers will likely be accessible to them.
The Entrance Workplace’s Vladimir Guerrero Jr. Extension Drawback
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Whereas the Blue Jays developing brief in signing stars, that arguably hasn’t been the crew’s largest headache this offseason. Vladimir Guerrero Jr. and Bo Bichette have another 12 months of management left till they’re eligible totally free company. The crew has opted to prioritize Vlad Jr. over Bichette. The most important downside presently plaguing the crew is that they’re having a tough time extending Guerrero Jr. Vlad Jr. Reportedly, Vlad Jr. and the crew are very far aside on cash. Guerrero Jr. not too long ago gave the crew a deadline to get a deal carried out, which is the primary day of camp. If the crew fails to fulfill the deadline, negotiations will likely be halted till the subsequent offseason. Whereas the all-star first baseman prefers to remain in Toronto, the Blue Jays entrance workplace actually isn’t benefiting from that.
The Blue Jays Are In For An Even Worse Season In 2025
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Whereas Toronto stayed true to being aggressive this offseason, they’ve thus far did not signal a marquee free agent. The Blue Jays have been runner-up in all their pursuits for star-free brokers. Lacking out on each Max Fried and Corbin Burnes was significantly irritating. If Toronto isn’t cautious, the one gamers that’ll be accessible to signal are non-impactful free brokers. The much-maligned entrance workplace already isn’t doing themselves any favors by struggling to increase Vlad Jr. If this offseason is an entire failure, the crew will likely be in for a good worse season in 2025.
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