The Toronto Blue Jays’ offseason has been filled with frustration and disappointment for both the team and its fans. The Jays were hoping to make a big splash in the offseason, whether it be by signing Shohei Ohtani, trading for Juan Soto, or acquiring Cody Bellinger. However, none of these moves materialized, leaving the team and its supporters wondering what exactly they are doing.
Many other MLB fanbases are also feeling frustrated with their teams’ offseason moves, or lack thereof. Giants fans are growing impatient, Mariners fans are confused, Cubs fans want to see more from their team, and Yankees fans are waiting for big signings. Mets fans, well, they are just being Mets fans. However, Blue Jays fans seem to be at the forefront of the “What the hell are we doing?” brigade.
The Blue Jays had high hopes for this winter, as they wanted to build on their third-place finish with 89 wins. They have been promising their fans that they are just a step away from success, but so far, that success has eluded them. They have yet to win any playoff games, secure division titles, or even come close to another World Series appearance.
Perhaps it’s time for the Jays to face the reality of where they currently stand. Their future is built on the potential of young stars like Vladimir Guerrero Jr. and Bo Bichette. These players were expected to lead the Jays out of their recent struggles, but their performances have been inconsistent. Guerrero Jr. had an impressive 2021 season, but his other full seasons have been good but not great. Bichette has been a solid player but hasn’t shown that he can be the best player on a World Series-contending team.
Both Guerrero Jr. and Bichette are just two seasons away from free agency, which adds more pressure on the Jays to perform. The team’s offense, which was once one of the best in the league, has declined due to the departure of key players and the underperformance of others. The pitching rotation also has its question marks, with uncertainty surrounding Jose Berrios and Chris Bassitt’s ability to perform at a high level.
The Jays must decide whether they see themselves as a third-place team or a team with the potential to be a star-studded contender. Despite the potential for improvement from Guerrero Jr. and Bichette, there is still an element of wishful thinking involved. The Jays have not made moves to safeguard against this uncertainty, and championships are not won by wishful thinking alone.
In a competitive division that includes teams like the Orioles, Yankees, and Rays, the Jays must make significant improvements to have a shot at success. While there is hope that Guerrero Jr. and Bichette can reach their full potential, the Jays need to make strategic moves to strengthen their roster and increase their chances of winning. Only then will the team and its fans be able to see their dreams turn into reality.
