Here are four lofty but realistic goals for the Blue Jays to maintain in 2026 despite the inevitably stiff competition ahead.
Bring an impact bat (or two).
The Blue Jays have done well replenishing their pitching this season. What they need to do now is bring a big bat to complete the roster.
As a team with a high payroll and a winning record going into 2025, the Blue Jays’ front office needs to sign at least one elite bat to solidify the team’s position as a contender. In an ideal world, the Blue Jays should sign both Bichette and Tucker to create one of the most feared lineups. Realistically, the team will most likely land just one hitter, via trade or on the free agent market, and that should be just enough to build an offensively solid team.
Whoever the Blue Jays choose to bat, this decision will be critical in setting the team’s tone and trajectory in the new year.
Day 49 of posting Bo Bichette until the Blue Jays re-sign him
Reduce pitchers’ home runs
Ultimately, the Blue Jays didn’t put themselves in a good position heading into the World Series because their pitchers couldn’t prevent home runs. That mistake should not be repeated in the 2026 season. Part of this effort was bringing in a reliever like Tyler Rogers, who is known for not giving up many home runs. The other part of this effort is reconfiguring the starting rotation with new additions and reinforcements while minimizing exposure to different pitchers’ weaknesses.
The Blue Jays are still in the process of revamping their relief staff, and who will be in the circle of trust. Having more relievers who aren’t too homer-prone will be crucial next season, and given the volatile nature of relief pitching, this will be an ongoing task that the team will always have to work on throughout the season.
Continue with George Springer’s rebound or find another rebound candidate
The Blue Jays would love nothing more than Springer’s continued renaissance in 2026. Still, relying solely on his continued recovery isn’t the most sustainable way to approach the 2026 season. FanGraphs projects the designated hitter to hit .261/.342/.456 with 25 home runs in 595 at-bats, which is already lower than what he did in 2025.
Should Springer show any decline in 2026, Toronto will need to find at least one more hitter who can have a rebound of his own. Putting all your eggs in one basket can be a folly, which is why it’s even more important for the Blue Jays to (hopefully) help Springer continue his journey while supporting other hitters to become their best selves.
Imagine someone like Anthony Santander or Daulton Varsho having the rebounding Springer had in 2025; That kind of development could help the Blue Jays get back to the playoffs.
Win the division and get back to the World Series
This is probably the most important one for the Blue Jays heading into the new year. Toronto was one out away from winning the World Series, but couldn’t get the job done. The Kansas City Royals found themselves in that position in 2014 and found their way back to the World Series and won it all in 2015. That’s the path the Blue Jays should follow in 2026.
Repeating the same success will be a tall order this time around, with more teams looking to improve for the 2026 season. Punching the ticket to the playoffs will be the top priority for the former American League champions. Historically, the Blue Jays were wiped out when they were relegated to securing a Wild Card spot in the 2020s; it is in their best interest to win the division to avoid this ordeal in 2026, even though the AL East as a division can be an unforgiving environment.
Toronto will not remain complacent. In fact, the front office has already invested a significant amount of money into landing high-powered free agents. Even after that spending spree, the team isn’t done rebuilding its roster. The Blue Jays are on track to have a chance to win it all. Now it’s a matter of how the front office envisions the roster, players and coaching staff showing up and how much the fans believe in this team.
The Blue Jays need to control what they have in hand to become a serious contender again. The World Series shouldn’t be such a bizarre dream for a team that has proven itself and can only get better this winter.
PRESENTED BY VIVID CHAIRS
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