The Toronto Blue Jays don’t have much mystery heading into the offseason: the offense has to be fixed, and fixed fast.
Yes, the pitching staff took a beating from injuries. But the bigger problem was the lineup, which simply could not score enough runs.
That collapse lined up with Vladimir Guerrero Jr.’s career-worst season, though there is at least a chance that problem takes care of itself after he had corrective Lasix eye surgery. As the source put it, “Maybe he literally couldn't see the ball.”
Still, this wasn’t just about one bat. Toronto’s offense finished near the bottom almost across the board, and the group as a whole dragged itself into a brutal place statistically. That leaves president of baseball operations Ross Atkins with a clear mandate, especially with over $100 million coming off the books and his reputation for being willing to spend.
The two biggest spots that need attention are designated hitter and second base.
Designated hitter matters because George Springer, even if he does not retire and even if he wants to stay in Toronto, can’t be the primary option there anymore. His workload needs to shrink as he gets older.
Two names that would fit that job while also giving the Blue Jays more outfield depth are Randy Arozarena and Seiya Suzuki. Both hit 26 home runs this season, with Arozarena driving in 79 runs and Suzuki finishing with 86 RBI.
Second base looks less settled than it might seem. Ernie Clement was an All-Star for the first time in 2026, but his late-season slide in the middle of a playoff race raised real concerns. He posted a .488 OPS in August and then dropped to an even worse .386 in September.
Atkins was asked about Clement and whether the second base job is his. His answer was blunt: “But he always has.”
If Toronto decides to shop in the second-base market, there are options there too. Brandon Lowe stands out after a season in which he hit 35 home runs and drove in 96 runs. If Atkins can land him, the fit is obvious.
For the Blue Jays, the assignment is simple enough to say and harder to complete: strengthen the lineup. If they don’t, the same problems could be waiting for them again next year, and the threat of missing the playoffs for a second straight season will only grow.
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