The Toronto Blue Jays had a busy offseason. They made a splash early by bringing in Dylan Cease to bolster the rotation, added Kazuma Okamoto from Japan to help fill a major hole in the lineup, and signed Cody Ponce for depth.
On paper, it looked like a step forward. But as spring training approaches, there’s one glaring absence that could define this team’s 2026 season: Bo Bichette isn’t walking through that clubhouse door.
That’s not just a loss-it’s a seismic shift.
Bichette, the face of the Blue Jays’ homegrown core, is now a New York Met after signing a three-year, $126 million deal. And while the Jays did make a strong push to bring him back, they ultimately came up short. That decision-or inability-to retain him could haunt them.
Let’s be clear: Kazuma Okamoto has real upside. He’s a proven slugger overseas with the kind of bat that could translate quickly to Major League pitching.
If he adapts fast, there’s a path where he becomes a legitimate AL Rookie of the Year candidate. That’s the best-case scenario, and it’s not out of the question.
But expecting him to immediately replicate what Bichette brought to the table-both at the plate and as a clubhouse cornerstone-is a tall order.
Even with Bichette missing time in 2025, he was still a catalyst for Toronto’s offensive rhythm. His presence in the lineup changed the way pitchers attacked the Jays.
He set the tone, both with his bat and his approach. And while Toronto’s offense still has firepower-Vlad Jr., George Springer, and others can carry the load-there’s no denying that Bichette’s departure leaves a void that can’t be filled by just one bat.
This isn’t a knock on the rest of the offseason. Cease is a front-line arm who can give the Jays a serious 1-2 punch in the rotation.
Ponce adds valuable depth. And Okamoto has the potential to be a difference-maker.
But when you lose a player like Bichette-especially one developed in your own system-it hits differently.
The Blue Jays have built a roster that can still contend, no question. But there’s a difference between being good and being great.
Bichette was part of what made them great. Without him, there’s a bit more pressure on everyone else to step up, especially with Anthony Santander sidelined by injury.
So yes, Toronto’s offseason started strong. But as we head into spring, the lingering question isn’t about who they added-it’s about who they didn’t bring back. And unless Okamoto makes an immediate splash, the story of this winter might be less about what the Blue Jays did and more about what they lost.