The Toronto Blue Jays just can’t catch a break in their hunt for star players. They’ve been coming up empty-handed all winter, with Japanese pitching sensation Roki Sasaki becoming their latest miss as he chose the Dodgers instead.
It’s becoming a frustrating pattern. The Jays have been runners-up for several big names this offseason – Corbin Burnes, Max Fried, Juan Soto, and others. And who can forget last year’s Shohei Ohtani saga, complete with that wild private jet tracking drama?
“We’re really fortunate to have the support that we have,” said GM Ross Atkins after missing out on Soto. He talked up Toronto’s appeal as a destination, but fans are getting tired of the “almost got him” stories.
The Sasaki situation stings extra hard. The Jays went all-in, even taking on Myles Straw’s $11 million contract just to get more international bonus money to offer Sasaki. It didn’t work.
They haven’t been completely quiet though. They picked up Gold Glove second baseman Andrés Giménez and bolstered their struggling bullpen with Yimi GarcÃa and Jeff Hoffman. Nice moves, but probably not enough to turn last year’s 74-win team into a playoff contender.
The fan base is getting restless. The Jays haven’t won a playoff game since 2016, and their two young stars – Bo Bichette and Vladimir Guerrero Jr. – could hit free agency after next season. The pressure’s mounting on Atkins to make something happen.
Here’s what the Jays need to do to save their offseason:
First, lock up Vlad Jr. It’ll be expensive – he already turned down $340 million as “not even close.” But at 26 and coming off a strong year, he’s worth breaking the bank for.
They need power bats. Pete Alonso or Anthony Santander would be perfect fits, especially since both might take shorter deals. Toronto ranked a shocking 26th in home runs last year.
The rotation needs help too. Jack Flaherty’s available and looking for a short-term deal. He’d slot in nicely behind Kevin Gausman and Chris Bassitt.
Finally, they should call the Padres about Luis Arraez and Dylan Cease. San Diego might be looking to cut payroll, and both players could be available at a discount.
Spring training’s just a month away. The Jays still have time to turn this around, but they need to act fast. With the American League looking weaker than usual, even 83 wins might snag a playoff spot.
The biggest move? Getting Guerrero Jr.’s signature on a long-term deal. He’s young, he’s talented, and he’s the face of the franchise. Make it happen, then build around him.
It might not be the offseason the Jays dreamed of, but there’s still time to make it work. The fans are waiting.
