The Blue Jays’ power outage was never exactly hidden, but the full damage showed up in the way Toronto’s offense dried up around it. Injuries played a part.
So did inconsistency. And so did the stunning drop-offs from George Springer and Vladimir Guerrero Jr.
Toronto finished the 2026 season with 152 home runs, almost the same as the 156 it produced in 2024. But the shape of the offense changed dramatically. This time, only one hitter reached 15 or more homers: Kazuma Okamoto, who led the club with 33 home runs and 92 RBIs.
That made the lineup far easier to navigate. Once opponents got past Okamoto, there was far less danger of a mistake in the zone turning into a ball over the fence.
In 2024, the Blue Jays had more threats spread through the order. Guerrero Jr. led that team with 30 homers, while Springer hit 19 and Daulton Varsho added 18.
The gap in total home runs between the two seasons was only four, but the level of danger was not the same.
The bigger warning sign came in the quality of contact. Toronto’s slugging percentage fell from .427 in 2025 to .381 in 2026, which was the club’s worst mark over the last 10 seasons.
That is one of the central issues Toronto has to sort out this winter. And while the home run total dropped, the power numbers still mattered in the same way they usually do: they drove a huge share of the team’s offense.
The Blue Jays scored 648 runs in 2026, and 36.8% of those runs came via home runs. That was the same percentage as in 2024 and only a bit below the 38.3% from 2025.
The problem was what happened when the long ball wasn’t there. Toronto had only four hitters who could realistically finish with 50 or more RBIs in 2026, down from eight in 2025. That left the lineup with much less margin for error when it needed production from somewhere else.
Okamoto remains a key piece, and his power could climb if he cuts down on the swing-and-miss in his game. He posted a 38.6 whiff% and struck out at a 32.4% clip against breaking pitches and offspeed pitches, respectively.
The Blue Jays also need a healthier, more productive season from Guerrero Jr., because another year of home run drought and power production near one of the worst stretches of his career would leave too much pressure on the rest of the lineup. Anthony Santander is also expected to be able to play his first full season since signing with the Blue Jays.
There are still reasons to think Toronto can make progress. A busy offseason and a lot of work could give this offense a better shape next year.
In Other News...
George Springers Blue Jays Run Just Sparked A Big Contract Debate
George Springers time in Toronto has become one of the more interesting cases in recent Blue Jays history, not just because of what he brought on the field, but because of how the numbers stack up against the deal itself. Over six seasons, he appeared in 776 games and put together a .260/.340/.452 line with a 122 wRC+ and 15.6 fWAR, production that helped make him a central figure in the clubs lineup and one of the defining free-agent additions of this era.
At a $150 million price tag, the conversation naturally turns to value, and Springers contract lands in a complicated place alongside the Blue Jays other big signings. His performance varied from season to season, which is part of why the debate is still alive, but the broader picture suggests Toronto got a legitimate return even if it didnt unfold in a perfectly smooth straight line. For a team that has chased impact talent aggressively, Springers deal is the kind of contract that invites a second look long after the ink has dried. [Read more 🡒]
Toronto Fans Will Relate To Kiki Rices Honest City Take
Kiki Rice is still getting settled in Toronto, and like plenty of newcomers to the city, she has already developed some strong opinions. The rookie WNBA guard for the Tempo laid out her favorite and least favorite parts of life in the city on TikTok, giving fans a candid look at what it is like to make Toronto home during the teams inaugural season.
Rice did not hold back on the parts that have tested her most, pointing to the TTC and the cold weather as immediate challenges. But she also made clear why so many players and residents stay attached to the city, praising the skyline, the food diversity and the nightlife, all while continuing to lead the Tempo in scoring and assists as they build from the ground up. [Read more 🡒]
Blue Jays Face Costly Offseason Calls After Another Year Fell Short
Another Blue Jays season ended with more frustration than finish, as Toronto closed out 2026 at 79-83 and again watched the postseason from home. Now the focus shifts quickly to an offseason that could shape the next few years, with the front office weighing a roster that needs help against the reality that the club cannot afford to stand still after another missed opportunity.
George Springer and Alek Manoah are among the biggest free-agent calls on the board, while arbitration cases involving Jordan Romano and Matt Chapman will also demand attention. Toronto does have some payroll room to work with, but the challenge is the same one plenty of clubs face in this spot: deciding how much to spend keeping familiar pieces in place and how much to reserve for the additions needed to make the 2027 team better. [Read more 🡒]