Blue Jays executives reflect on deep playoff run, look forward to ’26 season

TORONTO – The pain of coming a couple outs away from a World Series title was still raw for Blue Jays president Mark Shapiro and general manager Ross Atkins on Thursday. 

They held end-of-season media availabilities five days after Toronto dropped a 5-4 decision to the Los Angeles Dodgers in Game 7 of the Fall Classic at Rogers Centre.

“It certainly wasn’t the last out that we had envisioned,” Atkins said. “But a lot leading up to it was what we had envisioned.” 

It was a remarkable turnaround season for the Blue Jays, who finished last in the American League East standings a year ago. Toronto rebounded with a 94-win campaign to secure the division crown and top seed in the AL. 

The Blue Jays earned their first playoff victory and series win in nine years when they eliminated the New York Yankees in the AL Division Series. 

Toronto then topped the Seattle Mariners in a seven-game AL Championship Series before falling to the Dodgers in an epic series capped by a memorable 11-inning finale.

“It’s tough to have your back against the wall,” Shapiro said. “This is a group that almost savoured having their backs against the wall.”

With such a deep run, the turnaround to the start of free agency was a short one. 

Toronto shortstop Bo Bichette, who moved to second base for the World Series after returning from a knee sprain, is one of the marquee names on this year’s list. 

The Blue Jays confirmed Thursday they had extended Bichette a qualifying offer for the 2026 season, the first step in the off-season process. The homegrown two-time all-star has expressed his desire to remain with the team.

“He’s been important. We will be in his market,” Atkins said, without getting into specifics.

Other notable free agents include right-handers Max Scherzer, Chris Bassitt and Seranthony Dominguez. Backup infielders Ty France and Isiah Kiner-Falefa are also out of contract. 

Qualifying offers are worth just over US$22 million and players have until Nov. 18 to accept. 

Since Bichette is the team’s only everyday position player who’s entering free agency, the Blue Jays are in good shape to try to run it back with a similar squad in 2026. 

The return of starter Shane Bieber, who recently exercised his player option for next year, stabilizes a rotation that will likely include Kevin Gausman, Trey Yesavage, Jose Berrios and possibly Eric Lauer.  

Team chemistry and overall camaraderie appeared strong this past season. The players were a confident bunch who didn’t seem to get rattled. 

With slugger Vladimir Guerrero Jr. anchoring the lineup, the Blue Jays led the league in comeback victories. He was joined at the all-star game by catcher Alejandro Kirk.

Addison Barger had a breakout sophomore campaign and Nathan Lukes emerged as a go-to outfielder when slugger Anthony Santander went down with a long-term shoulder injury. 

Braydon Fisher had a strong rookie season in a new-look bullpen that featured Yariel Rodriguez, Mason Fluharty, Tommy Nance, Brendon Little, trade-deadline pickups Louis Varland and Dominguez, and closer Jeff Hoffman, who had a so-so year in his first full season in the ninth-inning role.

There is a strong core in place as the Blue Jays aim to get over the hump next year and win the World Series for the first time since 1993.

“It’s been about that pursuit, it’s been about perpetual improvement and about lifting people and making this a great place to play and the best we can do for our fans,” Shapiro said.

There were also some news tidbits on the day. They included:

– Bench coach Don Mattingly will not return next season. He wanted to spend more time with family but was open to other opportunities in the game. 

– Atkins said Berrios (elbow) was expected to have a “normal” off-season and be ready for spring training.

– On his own contract, Shapiro said there was mutual interest in an extension but talks were put on hold for the playoffs. 

– Atkins confirmed the team has picked up manager John Schneider’s contract option and extension talks were underway.

Spring training is set to begin in mid-February in Dunedin, Fla. Toronto will kick off the regular season on March 26 against the visiting Athletics. 

This report by The Canadian Press was first published Nov. 6, 2025.