The Toronto Blue Jays came within two outs of baseball immortality. After falling just short in a heartbreaking Game 7 loss to the Los Angeles Dodgers, the focus now shifts to what comes next. Aaron Rose breaks it down.
The offseason begins a new chapter and a chance to build on one of the best seasons in franchise history.
The pain of defeat will linger for a very long time, but the foundation of this team is strong. With Vladimir Guerrero Jr. leading a young core and a roster capable of contending again, Toronto’s challenge is to regroup, retool, and prepare for another deep postseason run in 2026. It starts now, with the key questions that will shape the months ahead.
1. Will Bo Bichette Return?
Bo Bichette says he wants to come back to Toronto, but ultimately it will come down to money. He’ll be one of the top names on the market, and after another season hitting over .300, he’s earned that status. During the World Series, he showed a willingness to move off shortstop and play second base, and that flexibility will be important next season given how well Andrés Giménez played at shortstop during the playoffs. Bichette will be 28 next year, and while questions remain about how he’ll age defensively and with limited speed, his bat remains elite. He’s one of the best pure hitters in baseball, and keeping him would ensure the Blue Jays’ core stays intact for another run.
2. What Does the 2026 Rotation Look Like?
Toronto’s rotation is beginning to take shape heading into 2026. Kevin Gausman and Trey Yesavage are locked in at the top, and Shane Bieber’s decision to pick up his $16 million player option gives the Blue Jays a strong trio to build around. With those three in place, the team’s need for another starter is less about filling a spot and more about determining the level of talent they want to add.
José Berríos remains the wild card. After an inconsistent and injury-plagued finish to 2025, Toronto must decide if he can return to being a reliable mid-rotation arm or if further reinforcements are needed. Louis Varland could also be considered for a rotation role after his standout postseason performance, though his success in the bullpen makes that a tough call.
Toronto probably needs just one more starting pitcher, but the question is what caliber that addition will be. Will the front office chase a frontline arm to form one of baseball’s best rotations, or settle for a steady veteran to provide depth behind its top three? The answer will say a lot about how aggressively the Blue Jays plan to push for another title run in 2026.
3. What Will the Bullpen Look Like?
Toronto’s bullpen proved in October just how important depth and flexibility can be. Jeff Hoffman should return as the trusted late-inning anchor, and Yimi García’s recovery from injury gives the Jays another dependable high-leverage option. Mason Fluharty will continue to handle key matchups against lefties, while Nick Sandlin should rejoin the mix once healthy. Braydon Fisher also showed flashes of dominance and could play a bigger role in 2026.
The big question is Louis Varland. If he stays in the bullpen, Toronto has the makings of a strong bullpen group. If he moves to the rotation, the bullpen loses a major weapon. The postseason showed how vital a deep bullpen is. The Jays could address it midseason, but ideally, adding one or two new arms this winter would go a long way toward solidifying the group.
4. Who Is Going to Lose Playing Time?
The Blue Jays played nearly their entire postseason run without Bo Bichette, relying on a lineup made up almost entirely of players under contract for next year. If Bichette returns or Toronto adds another hitter this offseason, someone from that group will inevitably lose playing time.
Anthony Santander, who signed a $92.5 million deal last winter, is expected to return to an everyday role after an injury-plagued 2025 season. That could push others down the depth chart. Nathan Lukes was a breakout performer in 2025, but can he sustain it over another full season? Ernie Clement became a postseason hero, but can he replicate that success at the plate? Addison Barger was another playoff standout but slumped late in the regular season, raising questions about consistency.
These situations often sort themselves out through injuries and performance dips, but the Jays’ roster is suddenly crowded. If Bichette re-signs or a new bat joins the mix, someone will lose regular at-bats.
5. How Much Higher Will Payroll Go?
The Blue Jays had the fifth-highest payroll in baseball last season, and ownership has shown no hesitation to spend. This is not an organization afraid to invest. They pursued Shohei Ohtani, made a serious run at Juan Soto, and committed $500 million to Vladimir Guerrero Jr. The front office has proven willing to do what it takes to keep Toronto among the sport’s elite.
A World Series run brings massive financial rewards. Between record-breaking television ratings, sellout crowds, and surging merchandise sales, the Blue Jays have energized a new generation of fans. That momentum gives ownership both the resources and the motivation to push even harder this offseason.
Rogers did not spend all this money to lose in Game 7 and pull back now. The question is how far the organization is prepared to go to make this roster even better. Whether it means re-signing Bichette, adding another starter, or bolstering the bullpen, Toronto has a chance to keep its championship window wide open if it keeps spending to win.