Blue Jays all in on making another pennant run

The Toronto Blue Jays have reached a crossroads.

First baseman Vladimir Guerrero Jr. and shortstop Bo Bichette, their two best players, are eligible for free agency at the end of next season.

So, the Blue Jays can go two ways. They can keep both players and attempt to make another run at their first World Series title and appearance since 1993. Or they could trade one or both and begin a rebuild.

The Blue Jays have decided to go for it in 2025 and it’s easy to understand why. Club President Mark Shapiro General Manager Ross Atkins and Manager John Schneider are all on the hot seat. The chances are strong that no one from that trio will be around for a rebuild.

However, it is fair to question whether the Blue Jays are good enough to contend in 2025. They were 74-88 this year after reaching the postseason the previous two seasons and finished in last place in the American League East, 20 games behind the New York Yankees.

However, Atkins is confident he can build a roster this winter that will contend next summer.

“We’re at a good starting point in that we have a deep roster that we added to at the trade deadline and some really good returning players,” Atkins told Draft Nation. “Our starting pitching is strong, and we feel our knowledge of the market in strong and we have the resources to acquire players through trade or free agency without hesitation.”

The Blue Jays have been players in the Juan Soto market, pursuing the biggest name in free agency this winter. The bidding on Soto has reached $600 million and signals are mixed on whether the Blue Jays are willing to go higher on the 26-year-old right fielder.

It is instructive to note that the Blue Jays matched the Dodgers’ 10-year, $700 million offer to Shohei Ohtani last December before the two-way superstar signed with Los Angeles. Ohtani was intrigued enough about potentially joining Canada’s only MLB franchise that he visited the team’s spring training facilities in Dunedin, Fla.

The Blue Jays are also interested in other big-ticket free agents, including right-hander Corbin Burnes, third baseman Alex Bregman and outfielder Anthony Santander.

The prevailing thought, though, is the Blue Jays will have no shot at signing Soto unless they committed to fellow Dominican Guerrero for the long haul. The 25-year-old Guerrero is already a four-time All-Star and has won two Silver Sluggers and one Gold Glove.

“He’s a great player. I’m not going to talk about anything that relates to negotiating a contract, but he’s a great player,” Atkins said of Guerrero. “He’s a great person. He’s a great teammate. We’re excited about his evolution in all of those categories and as a leader in the game. Love the human, love the player.”

If the Blue Jays can sign both Soto and Guerrero to huge contract, that could make Bichette the odd man out.

There have been persistent rumblings that the Blue Jays are willing to part with the 26-year-old two-time All-Star. However, Toronto would be selling low after Bichette hit just .225/.277/.322 with four home runs in 81 games during an injury-plagued season.

Middle infielder Orelvis Martinez (No. 75) is the only Blue Jays’ prospect ranked on Baseball America’s top 100 list. Toronto called the 23-year-old to the major leagues last season. He made his debut on June 21 then was suspended the next day by MLB for testing positive for a performance enhancing drug.

“There will be opportunities via free agency and via trade,” Atkins said. “We have some depth that, if we need to make trades, we’re in position to do so.”

Lost among all the big names the Blue Jays are reportedly chasing is that they need to overhaul a bullpen that was 29th among the 30 MLB teams in ERA this year.

Closer Jordan Romano was not tendered a contract last month, making him a free agent. Chad Green is the top internal closing option, and the Blue Jays won’t necessarily look outside to fill Romano’s role.

“You have to be creative in that area,” Atkins said. “That market is so volatile. You don’t want to put yourself in just one aspect of it. If you go to the top end, you’ve got to have really clear reasons why.”