This story was excerpted from Keegan Matheson’s Beat publication. To learn the complete publication, click on right here. And subscribe to get it recurrently in your inbox.
TORONTO — It’s time for the MLB offseason to get its second wind.
The Blue Jays have loads of work left to do, and whereas so most of the huge names have already flown off the board — too a lot of them touchdown within the AL East — there’s nonetheless time for this group to set a special tone for the 2025 season. George Springer’s club-record six-year, $150 million deal was signed in mid-January of 2021, and the commerce market remains to be huge open.
For now, the same old pleasure of the season to return feels prefer it’s been changed by a stage of trepidation from the fan base, and understandably so. Final season by no means obtained off the bottom, ending in a 74-88 report with few positives to hold over into the winter. Sure, the Blue Jays have reached the postseason in three of the final 5 years and fallen painfully quick in a single different (2021), however they nonetheless don’t have a postseason win with this core.
With Vladimir Guerrero Jr. and Bo Bichette getting into their remaining 12 months of membership management earlier than free company, that younger core will not be lengthy for Toronto. The costly veteran additions the Blue Jays added round them are arising on the ends of their contracts, too, from Chris Bassitt to Kevin Gausman, Springer and others.
The brand new 12 months at all times brings a stage of optimism, with the data reset to 0-0 and golf equipment rolling into camp in mid-February filled with hope, however the Blue Jays might want to earn that pleasure in early 2025. Right here’s a sit up for the brand new 12 months:
One free agent who can be an ideal match
Gamers who match the Blue Jays hold flying off the board, however Anthony Santander stays. The Blue Jays know Santander nicely from his days with the Orioles — maybe too nicely, after a few of his efficiency in opposition to them — and he profiles nicely to suit their lineup. Whereas Teoscar Hernández was beloved in Toronto, Santander has at all times felt like a cleaner match for what Ross Atkins is chasing as a result of 30-year-old outfielder’s capability to hit left-handed, in addition to his higher contact charges to pair along with his energy. The time period Santander seeks shall be a much bigger problem than the general cash right here for the Blue Jays, however they clearly want an influence bat to placed on both facet of Vladimir Guerrero Jr., and people choices are starting to run skinny in free company.
One participant poised for a breakout 12 months
It feels just like the Blue Jays are going to want to search out methods to get Will Wagner into the lineup. Even with a crowded infield, Wagner represents a stage of offensive upside this membership wants. Wagner hit .305 with a .788 OPS over 24 video games down the stretch, all whereas coping with a nagging knee subject he finally had cleaned up with a scope in late September. Take into account Wagner to be in the same place to the place Ernie Clement was final Spring Coaching. It seems to be crowded round him, however he may simply discover his manner into full-time reps. The group is extraordinarily excessive on Wagner.
One prospect to look at in 2025
Get used to listening to Alan Roden’s identify. The 25-year-old outfielder is an on-base machine, beloved by coaches within the Minors, and he ought to have a reliable alternative to earn MLB reps by the center of 2025, if not sooner. Roden, Toronto’s No. 12 prospect per MLB Pipeline, carried out nicely in 71 video games at Triple-A after his promotion final summer season, hitting .314 with a .406 OBP, and whereas he’s not a slugger by any definition, he’s slowly rising into sufficient energy to make pitchers take that a part of his sport significantly. There’s a cause Roden’s identify comes up so usually when talking with members of the entrance workplace or Blue Jays coaches.
One prediction for the brand new 12 months
Bichette bounces again to being the participant he was previous to 2024. One ugly season has utterly modified the narrative round Bichette — and understandably so — however that is nonetheless a participant absolutely in his prime who has led the AL in hits twice (2021, ‘22). Add in the motivation of Bichette’s pending free company, the place he may land a significant payday, and there may be reliable cause to imagine in a resurgence from Bichette. Final season snowballed on the younger shortstop, each bodily and mentally. A recent begin in February ought to do wonders for Bichette.
