Ten talking points entering off-season for American League champion Toronto Blue Jays

TORONTO — Just a few days after falling painfully short of their first World Series title in 32 years, the Toronto Blue Jays are shifting focus to the off-season.

Here’s a look at 10 talking points for the franchise as it prepares for the 2026 campaign.

BO FUTURE

Homegrown star Bo Bichette is one of the marquee names in this year’s free-agent class.

He shifted from shortstop to second base after returning to the lineup after missing seven weeks with a knee sprain. That could be the position that makes the most sense for him if he returns to the Blue Jays or signs elsewhere.

Bichette is consistently among the league’s hits leaders when healthy. His defensive play is not as strong but he’s in his prime at age 27.

The Blue Jays have shown they can be big spenders. Whether they choose to invest in Bichette — who should command a nine-figure payday — will be a major storyline.

SHAPIRO STATUS

Team president Mark Shapiro is in the final year of his contract and has expressed his desire to remain with the club.

The 58-year-old joined the Blue Jays in 2015 and signed a five-year extension in January 2021. He has overseen several major projects, including major renovations to Rogers Centre and the team’s player development complex in Florida.

Shapiro and general manager Ross Atkins are scheduled to hold end-of-season media availabilities on Thursday.

STARTING ROTATION

Shane Bieber’s return for the 2026 season gives the Blue Jays’ starting rotation a significant boost.

He exercised his player option rather than try free agency and will anchor a rotation that includes ace Kevin Gausman, Trey Yesavage, Jose Berrios and perhaps Eric Lauer.

Veteran right-handers Max Scherzer and Chris Bassitt are free agents. The Blue Jays have some depth options available, including Bowden Francis and Adam Macko, but may boost the starting five via free agency or trade.

POWER PLAYER

The Blue Jays’ face of the franchise played like a superstar in his first extended foray into the post-season.

Blue Jays slugger Vladimir Guerrero Jr. had a .292 average with 23 homers and 84 RBIs in the regular season, capping his campaign with a September slump that he shook off in a big way in October.

Guerrero, whose 14-year, US$500-million extension kicks in next year, posted monster numbers over 18 playoff games. He had a .397 average, 1.289 OPS along with eight homers and 15 RBIs.

CLOSER TO FINE

Blue Jays manager John Schneider stuck with closer Jeff Hoffman through the ups and downs of the regular season.

It will be interesting to see if he maintains that loyalty next year. Hoffman (9-7, 4.37 ERA) earned 33 saves over 40 opportunities this past season but also allowed 15 home runs.

The right-hander had a strong post-season but the one homer he allowed came in the ninth inning of a Game 7 loss to the Los Angeles Dodgers in the World Series.

With Seranthony Dominguez a free agent, Yimi Garcia is the most likely option to close if the Blue Jays decide to make a change.

TREY DAY

What does Trey Yesavage do for an encore?

The rookie rose through the minor-league ranks before wowing at the big-league level. He shut down the Dodgers in a Game 5 road win by allowing just three hits over seven innings.

Expect more big things next season from a pitcher who’ll likely be a key cog in the Toronto rotation for years to come.

RATINGS MONSTER

The Blue Jays were a ratings hit during the World Series at home and abroad.

Game 7 averaged 51 million viewers across Canada, the United States and Japan, making it the most-watched Major League Baseball game in 34 years, MLB said Wednesday in a release.

The seven World Series broadcasts were the seven most-watched Blue Jays games ever on Sportsnet, the team’s domestic rights-holder.

Radio ratings weren’t immediately available. The network sent its radio broadcasters on the road for the playoffs after they called games remotely during the regular season.

TONY TATERS

The Blue Jays reached the Fall Classic despite limited production from slugger Anthony Santander, who was their biggest off-season signing last winter.

Santander never found a groove this past season. A shoulder injury forced him out of the lineup for about four months and a back issue cut short his post-season.

A year after hitting 44 homers for Baltimore, Santander managed just six homers in 54 games for Toronto with a .175 average. He’s on the books for four more years after signing a US$92.5-million contract last January.

MANAGER AWARD

Toronto skipper John Schneider could soon be rewarded for the Blue Jays’ worst-to-first turnaround this past season.

He’s nominated for the American League manager of the year award along with Cleveland’s Stephen Vogt and Seattle’s Dan Wilson. The winner will be named on Tuesday.

Schneider guided the Blue Jays to an East Division title after a 74-win season the year before.

DATES AHEAD

Toronto’s pre-season schedule will kick off Feb. 21 against the Philadelphia Phillies in Dunedin, Fla.

The Blue Jays will kick off the 2026 regular season on March 26 against the Athletics at Rogers Centre.

This report by The Canadian Press was first published Nov. 5, 2025.

Gregory Strong, The Canadian Press