Three questions facing the Toronto Blue Jays this offseason

The Toronto Blue Jays were agonizingly close to dethroning the Los Angeles Dodgers.

The Blue Jays were two outs away from their third championship in Game 7. A matter of inches kept them from plating the winning run in the bottom of the ninth inning. Those inches loomed large in Game 6 as well, with Addison Barger's double getting stuck under the padding of the outfield wall, preventing a run from scoring. 

Despite posting the best record in the American League, running it back may be easier said than done. Several key players, headlined by shortstop Bo Bichette, will enter free agency. The Blue Jays did get good news when pitcher Shane Bieber picked up his $16M option to return to Toronto in 2026. However, the Blue Jays have plenty of work to do as they look to get back to the playoffs.

Three questions for the Toronto Blue Jays heading into the offseason

1. Can the Blue Jays bring Bichette back?

It was fair to wonder if the Blue Jays would want Bichette back heading into the 2025 season. He struggled through an injury-plagued 2024 campaign, posting a disappointing .225/.277/.322 batting line over 336 plate appearances, hitting four homers and 16 doubles. Bichette needed to prove himself again before entering free agency.

He did exactly that, posting a .311/.357/.483 batting line in 628 plate appearances, hitting 18 homers and 44 doubles. Bichette has also been clear that he wants to remain in Toronto, especially after coming that close to a championship. The Blue Jays are considered the favorites to retain his services, but Bichette's next contract will cost them far more than a potential extension after the 2024 season.

2. What can Trey Yesavage do for an encore?

The 20th overall selection in the 2024 MLB Draft, Yesavage was one of the best stories of the season. He had a meteoric rise through the Blue Jays organization, making his major league debut after pitching at four different minor league stops in 2025. Yesavage was even more impressive in the postseason, earning manager John Schneider's trust to the point where he pitched in the seventh and eighth innings of Game 7 of the World Series.

The Blue Jays' top prospect and the 26th-best prospect in baseball per MLB.com, Yesavage has three plus offerings and solid command of his arsenal. He showed that potential during his three major league outings with the Blue Jays, allowing five runs on 13 hits and seven walks over 14 innings, striking out 16 batters. Yesavage should have a prominent role in the 2026 rotation, and it may not take long before he becomes the Blue Jays next ace.

3. Can outfielder George Springer continue to turn back the clock?

Springer had struggled over the previous two seasons, posting a disappointing .240/.316/.389 batting line over 1297 plate appearances between 2023 and 2024, hitting 40 homers and 44 doubles while stealing 36 bases. His 96 OPS+ was four points below league average. At 35, it was fair to wonder if Springer had anything left in the tank.

He rebounded in impressive fashion in 2025. Springer posted a .309/.399/.560 batting line over 586 plate appearances, hitting 32 homers and 27 doubles. Springer carved his name into Blue Jays lore with his three-run homer in Game 7 of the ALCS, putting Toronto on top for good. If the Blue Jays are going to repeat as American League champions, they will need Springer to turn back the clock one more time.