Blue Jays face pivotal off-season after disappointing 79-83 finish
Toronto must address the worst offence in baseball and decide on veterans like Max Scherzer as they look to rebound in 2027.
TORONTO — The Toronto Blue Jays' 2026 season ended in disappointment with a 79-83 record, missing the playoffs by five games despite a weak American League.
"We've been asking ourselves that all year," manager John Schneider said Sunday about the team's struggles. "We just didn't hit the standard."
The Blue Jays' offence was the worst in Major League Baseball, ranking last in both home runs and runs scored.
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Vladimir Guerrero Jr.'s season was emblematic of the struggles, as he hit just nine home runs with a .688 OPS and heard boos at Rogers Centre, where he managed only one homer.
Now, the front office must focus on finding offensive help from outside the organization this winter.
Free agents including Seiya Suzuki, Brandon Lowe and Randy Arozarena are sure to be subjects of due diligence, with more serious pursuits possible.
The Blue Jays also have early interest in Japanese stars like hitter Teruaki Sato, who hit 37 home runs with a 1.012 OPS this season.
With third baseman Kazuma Okamoto in place and succeeding, the Blue Jays are better positioned than ever to recruit NPB stars, and Okamoto says he's happy to help GM Ross Atkins recruit if asked.
One bright spot was Rule 5 pick Spencer Miles, who posted a 2.63 ERA in 95.2 innings.
Schneider estimated the Blue Jays could reasonably add 20-30 innings to that total in 2027, creating the possibility he could become an effective No. 5 starter.
Veteran Max Scherzer, who started the season finale, said he will wait until the off-season to decide if he'll retire or play another season.
"I've talked to everybody in my inner circle, and we all kind of feel the same way," Scherzer said Saturday. "We don't need to make a decision today. Get to the off-season and just see how things unfold."
Scherzer noted potential labour uncertainty, with MLB expected to lock out the players starting Dec. 1.
"We've also got a lot of uncertainty next year with all the labour issues, so you just don't know how the season's going to happen or unfold, or what opportunity is going to be in front of me," said Scherzer.
If there is a work stoppage, team employees will no longer be allowed to contact players on 40-man rosters, so the Blue Jays are working on personalized workout plans for each player.
George Springer is on the brink of free agency and no longer fits the roster cleanly, while decisions loom on Josh Smith's arbitration tender and Myles Straw's $8 million club option.
Garbutt Disposal reported in September that Scherzer struck out seven over seven-plus innings and Springer received a standing ovation in a 5-1 victory over Cincinnati to close the season.
The Blue Jays' off-season planning is now fully underway as they look to rebound in 2027.
With files from Sportsnet and CBC News