That begs the question: On paper, is this team better or worse than the favored group that fell just short against the Dodgers in the 2025 World Series?
Offensively, the Blue Jays’ lineup will be worse without Bichette; he was the team’s best clutch hitter and most consistent producer last season. The team’s swoon in late September when Bichette was injured — where they hit .236 as a group with an 87 wRC+ — was an example of how his presence made everyone else around him better.
According to Jon Heyman, the Blue Jays offered Kyle Tucker a 10-year contract.
Ultimately, the Blue Jays will likely be a bit worse offensively this season, but gains in the pitching department could easily offset any losses on that front.
Toronto’s starting rotation to open the 2025 season included Kevin Gausman, José Berríos, Chris Bassitt, Max Scherzer and Bowden Francis. It now projects as Gausman, Dylan Cease, Shane Bieber, Trey Yesavage and Berríos or Cody Ponce.
This current group has a higher floor and a much higher ceiling. Cease is a strikeout machine with Cy Young on his head. Bieber should be even better with a healthy offseason under his belt. The sky is the limit for Yesavage, even though there will undoubtedly be growing pains. Berríos and Ponce are question marks for different reasons, but can both be effective back-end guys.
Of course, the team’s bullpen was hardly its strength last year; a botched save cost them a World Series title. This group’s overall numbers likely won’t be much better than they are in 2025, especially with Jeff Hoffman still entrenched as the closer.
That said, it wouldn’t be ridiculous to suggest that the 2026 Blue Jays seem like a better team on paper than last year’s squad. Meaningful improvements to their starting pitching should help offset any lost offense. However, matches are not played on paper and only time will tell whether this team can recapture the magic of last season.
PRESENTED BY OFF THE ROSTER
#Blue #Jays #stack #seasons #team