What’s the Blue Jays’ Quickest Path Back to Contention?

After coming so close to winning the World Series in 2025, the Toronto Blue Jays missed out on the postseason in 2026 following a disappointing regular season.

Several stars failed to show up, flaws throughout the roster were exposed, injuries piled up, and it’s back to the drawing board for a Blue Jays team that hopes to return to World Series contention in 2027.

To get there, though, several areas need to be addressed.

This team showed fight down the stretch, working its way back into the postseason picture even if the odds were slim. That perhaps bodes well for what is to come next season.

Here is the formula for this team to get back near the top of the American League standings in 2027.

You Can’t Have Too Many Starters

Entering 2026, the question was, “How is Toronto going to manage all their starting pitchers?” Entering 2027, it’s, “Who the heck are their starting pitchers?” The front of their rotation is locked in (and it’s strong): Dylan Cease, Jose Soriano, and Trey Yesavage. Starters 4-5 and beyond need to be addressed.

Looking internally, there is a variety of names who will be battling for those positions. Jake Bloss and Cody Ponce should be healthy by the start of the season. Additionally, CJ Van Eyk, Chad Dallas, John Klein, and Spencer Arrighetti all occupy spots on the 40-man roster. This doesn’t even include prospects who are Rule 5 Draft eligible and could enter the mix, such as Daniel Guerra, Gage Stanifer, and Nolan Perry.

Overall, that’s nine pitchers vying for two open jobs. Yet, it’s not enough. Of those players, Arrighetti is the only one to have played a full major league season, and even he had a rough go in his brief action with the Jays in 2026 (6.35 ERA, 1.54 WHIP, -0.7 WAR).

There’s also the Spencer Miles of it all. Miles, who worked predominantly as a reliever, made eight starts in 2026 and had 12 appearances of three or more innings. There’s a possibility the Jays attempt to stretch him out again (they tried during the season), but until Toronto outright says so, it’s better to view him as a bullpen arm. He’ll have the chance to earn a spot in the rotation, but he’ll likely be battling with new acquisitions.

Plenty of names are available in free agency this winter. At the top is Tarik Skubal (whom every team would love), but other options would also bolster this squad. Corbin Burnes, Sonny Gray, Dustin May, and Freddy Peralta are all options, but they’ll attract plenty of attention throughout the league.

Potential reunion candidates include Kevin Gausman, Chris Bassitt, Jameson Taillon, Max Scherzer, Shane Bieber, Eric Lauer, Robbie Ray, Patrick Corbin, Michael Lorenzen, and Foster Griffin*; some would make a bigger impact than others.

There’s also the Japanese market (which I mentioned here), which includes Hiromi Itoh and Kaima Taira. I’d anticipate Toronto targeting both, while also adding one or two back-of-the-rotation arms.

*Griffin pitched in one game for the 2022 Blue Jays

Power Is a Plus

It’s obvious that Toronto’s main issue this season was a lack of power (they ranked 30th in runs scored and home runs). If they can add one or two power bats, they quickly go from an offensive eyesore to a team with some potential.

Where that power needs to come from is also somewhat obvious (cough, cough), although their outfield likely needs a retool as well. Nathan Lukes led all Blue Jays outfielders in home runs with 10 last year, tied for the lowest total among any team. Kansas City’s Jac Caglianone* and San Francisco’s Jung Hoo Lee and Drew Gilbert** also finished with 10.

With Addison Barger and Anthony Santander (hopefully) healthy, there’s some pop returning to the lineup, but it’s not enough. Free agents such as Seiya Suzuki, Randy Arozarena, Ian Happ, and Adolis Garcia would provide 20-plus home runs to the lineup. Additionally, three of those four players are solid defensively (sorry, Randy), meaning Toronto wouldn’t have to worry as much about defensive struggles outweighing the offensive production.

Going back to the Japanese market, Toronto has been linked to Teruaki Sato, a third baseman with experience in the corner outfield. Sato brings more power than any of the previously listed names, having hit 39 home runs for the Hanshin Tigers this season. He’s not just a one-way threat, either; he won the NPB Triple Crown, leading the league in batting average (.306) and RBIs (106).

Toronto’s existing outfield mix of Santander, Barger, Lukes, Davis Schneider, Brett Bateman, and Myles Straw (pending the club option) is okay, but it doesn’t move the needle. If/when Toronto loses George Springer, the team is going to desperately need to replace its No. 2 or No. 3 power hitter. It might not come from one player, but multiple additions who can provide some slug would go a long way.

There’s another great thing that adding power does: it takes some of the pressure off Vladimir Guerrero Jr. The odds of Vladdy struggling as much as he did in 2026 are slim, but if he doesn’t get off to a strong start, having another power hitter could help ease the pressure. So often in 2026, Vladdy hit a ball 110 MPH or harder straight into the dirt, and the next batter up couldn’t drive in the run Guerrero had squandered. Having multiple reliable players in the lineup leaves a little more room for error.

*Caglianone hit 23 home runs; 10 came when he played in the outfield.

**Gilbert hit one home run as a pinch hitter.

Read more

MLB

The Blue Jays’ Approach in Japan Can Only Mean Good Things

MLB

5 Things We Learned About the Blue Jays in 2026

Depth, Depth, and More Depth

Toronto doesn’t just need starting pitching depth; they need all kinds of it. Obviously, the outfield has been the hot topic, but I anticipate additions to the infield as well. It’s unknown whether the team wants to go all out and sign a top-tier player like Luis Arraez, Jazz Chisholm, or Gleyber Torres.

However, none of these players would address the Jays’ power problem. I anticipate some smaller moves that might have more of an impact in the long run. Brandon Lowe is a nice option (with power), and he’s played plenty of games at Rogers Centre, but he’s arguably the top infielder on the market and won’t come cheap.

Creating healthy competition is a good thing, and second base is where a lot of it will happen. Ernie Clement is going to have to earn his starting job in 2027, and he’ll be competing with Davis Schneider, Josh Smith, Charles McAdoo, and Sean Keys.

Last season, the team brought in Lenyn Sosa and Luis Urias when injuries occurred, neither of whom provided much of a spark (Urias at least drew walks). This winter gives Toronto time to lock down a middle infielder, likely one who can handle left-handed pitching.

Toronto also has some prospects who could help in 2027, with Josh Kasevich and Jay Harry seemingly the closest to making an impact. However, they will likely end up as midseason call-ups. Having versatility against lefties and righties is a huge plus, and having some strength up and down the lineup is pivotal.

Toronto’s bullpen also doesn’t need too much work, although a move of Spencer Miles to the rotation would change its look for 2027. A couple of optionable arms will likely make their way north of the border, and Toronto might make a move or two for a high-leverage setup man.

Having a strong bullpen is important (and Toronto already has one), but you need leads for them to pitch with. Adding to the offense will only further showcase just how dominant the bullpen can be, while also giving some of these guys a chance to get a day off. Boy, do I miss 8-1 wins.

From Heroes To Zeroes To Heroes

There’s no “easy” way back to contention, but this organization isn’t dumb. Realistically, the only way Toronto makes its way back to the top is by overhauling the team.

When we next see the team in 2027 or beyond, it’ll have new faces and renewed optimism. You’ll still see John Schneider, Vladimir Guerrero Jr., and Ross Atkins (regardless of your thoughts on them), but the team around them will be much stronger. Otherwise, you’ll really hear from the fans.