In an unexpected twist of positivity, the Toronto Blue Jays are breathing life into a sporting city that has been bashed a lot of late. Aaron Rose poses five questions that need answering to make or break their season.
It has been an unexpectedly exciting first half of the season for the Toronto Blue Jays. After a quiet winter and tempered expectations, Toronto hit the break at 55–41 and leads the division by two games. Nobody saw this coming.
George Springer is having a bounce-back year. Addison Barger has broken out. The defense has been elite, the offense deeper and more productive than expected, and the Jays are getting contributions throughout the lineup. In a city still reeling from a dismal Raptors season and another early Maple Leafs exit, this team has been a welcome jolt of energy.
But regular-season fun only goes so far. This front office still has to prove it can deliver in October. Another playoff run without a win would be crushing. As the second half begins, Toronto looks like a contender. It will take real moves and real growth to finish the job. Here are five things to watch.
1. How far will the Blue Jays push in at the trade deadline?
The Blue Jays are going to be buyers this year. The question is how aggressive they will get.
For the first time in years, Toronto has a farm system with real value. Arjun Nimmala and Trey Yesavage are both legitimate top prospects. There is finally a pipeline that could fetch real help. The front office has a track record of making deadline moves when the opportunity presents itself, but more often than not they seem to come up just short.
That approach will not cut it this year. The Jays could use another starter, preferably a frontline arm who can start Game 1 of a playoff series. They need another late-inning bullpen option as well. There is no obvious hole in the starting lineup, but this group could still use more power. If there is a chance to add a difference-making bat, they should take it.
They are going to buy. The only question is how much they are willing to spend.
2. What will Anthony Santander look like when he is healthy again?
Santander was supposed to be the big power addition in the offseason. Instead, he opened the year as a disaster. Through 50 games, he was hitting .179 with a .304 slugging percentage and looked lost at the plate. Then came the injury that shut him down.
If he gets back healthy, there is still time to salvage this season. Santander has a track record of hitting home runs and could be the second-half boost the Jays need. If he can find his form, it would be like acquiring a power bat without giving up anything. His return would deepen the lineup and give Toronto one more threat to worry opposing pitchers.
Or this could just be a lost season. Maybe he never gets going. Maybe the Blue Jays will have to eat the first year of the deal and hope for better in 2026. Either way, his status will matter.
3. Will Vladimir Guerrero Jr. have his breakout stretch?
Vlad has been fine this year. But fine is not the goal.
The Blue Jays did not envision Guerrero as just a reliable first baseman when they made him the face of the franchise. This team needs more than a good season. It needs a stretch where he carries the offense and looks like one of the most dangerous hitters in the league. So far, that stretch has not come.
Guerrero is on pace for 20 home runs. That is not nearly enough. He is hitting too many ground balls and line drives, and not enough fly balls. His launch angle has been an issue for a while now. It feels like he is one adjustment away, but that has been the case for years. The power is in there. The team just needs it to show up soon.
If the Blue Jays are going to make a deep run, they need Vlad to look like a star again.
4. Can the rotation take a step forward?
The Blue Jays’ rotation has been solid this season. But solid will not be enough in October.
Adding a frontline starter would completely change the shape of this group. One more ace would bump everyone else down a spot and make the whole staff look deeper. In 2015, the Blue Jays added David Price and everything shifted. This team could use a similar move.
Kevin Gausman, Jose Berrios, and Chris Bassitt have all had strong stretches. If Toronto can drop them to Game 2 through 4 duty in a playoff series, the rotation starts to look like a strength. Alek Manoah and Max Scherzer remain wildcards. If they can give them anything down the stretch, it would be a bonus.
The question is whether the front office will aim high enough. Settling for a mid-rotation arm would help some, but this season might call for something bolder.
5. Will the bullpen hold up — and will they add another arm?
Toronto’s bullpen has been worked hard this season, but the results have mostly been encouraging.
Jeff Hoffman has been effective in high-leverage situations despite his inflated ERA. Brendon Little has emerged as a real weapon from the left side. The Jays are getting contributions throughout the bullpen. If Yimi García gets back healthy, this group could be even better.
Still, one more late-inning arm would make a big difference. October is about relievers. It is about shortening games and getting strikeouts in key moments. Toronto could really benefit from adding another high-octane option. Someone who can miss bats and handle pressure. The Jays have enough pieces to piece together a solid playoff bullpen. But if they want to turn it into a real strength, one more addition could make all the difference.