Jays Journal

Toronto Blue Jays fans can be forgiven if Bryan Baker’s name does not immediately ring a bell. His Toronto career lasted exactly one scoreless inning. Five years later, the former Blue Jay has become one of October’s biggest stories. American League Division Series without allowing a hit, becoming the first pitcher to accomplish the feat since saves became official in 1969.

Teams rarely get a chance to lure star players away from the New York Yankees, but that may be a realistic opportunity on the table for Jazz Chisholm Jr. this offseason. Things appear to have gone sour between Chisholm and New York, culminating in the star second baseman getting booed by the home fans as the Yankees were swept out of the ALDS by the Tampa Bay Rays. Chisholm has said he would like to remain a Yankee, but that’s what they all say, right?

Addison Barger barely had an opportunity to build on his breakout 2025 season. After hitting 21 home runs and adding a pinch-hit grand slam in the World Series, the versatile Toronto Blue Jays slugger was limited to nine games in 2026. He suffered ankle, elbow and back injuries which completely derailed his season. Barger hit just .045 with no home runs and two RBI before a back stress reaction interrupted his hitting progression in late June.

The Philadelphia Phillies appear set to explore some big roster changes after flaming out early in the postseason once again.

When the Toronto Blue Jays dealt Kevin Gausman to the Chicago Cubs at the trade deadline, it felt like a big blow to a passionate fan base. The Blue Jays were losing a part of the team's identity from the past five seasons. The trade also meant that Toronto’s playoff hopes at the time were dwindling. What the Blue Jays’ faithful didn’t know at the time was how much promise there was in one of the players coming back in the deal.

DAAAAA YANKEES LOSE! Vladimir Guerrero Jr. and David Ortiz turned that line into a viral celebration after the Toronto Blue Jays eliminated New York in Game 4 of last year’s American League Division Series at Yankee Stadium. One year later, Tampa Bay gave Blue Jays fans every reason to bring it back. GET THE BROOMS OUT FOR THIS TRASH TEAM RAYS 4 YANKEES 3 DAAAAAAAAAA YANKEES LOSE!!!!!!! pic.twitter.com/3dU7TTs9ic — Did Da Yankees Lose?

The Philadelphia Phillies’ managerial search has encountered another obstacle. Alex Cora reportedly declined an invitation for formal talks, choosing instead to take another year away from managing. Former Toronto Blue Jays bench coach Don Mattingly guided Philadelphia to the NLDS after taking over during the 2026 season, but he has said he is not ready to return as manager despite receiving support from his players.

The offseason may have just started for the Toronto Blue Jays and there are many takes on how they should go about their business over the next few months. They'll need to make some splashes at the major league level once the World Series wraps up. In the meantime though, they have been quite proactive in signing free agents already at the international stage. Just this past week, the Blue Jays had successfully acquired Si-Woo Kwon out of South Korea to bolster their young pitching depth.

The Toronto Blue Jays know what they need to do better in 2027. As their General Manager said they need to hit the ball over the wall more, take more walks, and get on base. Those words from Ross Atkins during his year-end availability last week and in a perfect world, the guys already on the roster would do just that. But after missing the playoffs in 2026, this current iteration of the Blue Jays can't be trusted to do those things without some additions.

MLB Pipeline has recently released its final prospect rankings for the 2026 season, and the Toronto Blue Jays have reason to feel good about the state of their farm system heading into the offseason. Two of the organization’s top young talents cracked the final Top 100 list, giving the Blue Jays another strong indication that their prospect pipeline is trending in the right direction.