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On Thursday, Blue Jays president Mark Shapiro and general manager Ross Atkins were still feeling the pain of being just outs away from a World Series title.
They were available to the season-ending media five days after Toronto lost a 5-4 decision to the Los Angeles Dodgers in Game 7 of the Fall Classic at Rogers Center.
“It definitely wasn’t the last exit we thought it would be,” Atkins said. “But a lot of what led up to it was exactly what we expected.”
It's been a remarkable season for the Blue Jays, who finished last in the American League East standings a year ago. Toronto rebounded with 94 wins, securing the division crown and first place in the AL.
Mark Shapiro, CEO and President of the Toronto Blue Jays, spoke Thursday about the World Series and what the team's resilience and tenacity mean to Canadians across the country.
The Blue Jays captured their first playoff and series win in nine years by eliminating the New York Yankees in the AL Division Series.
Toronto then topped the Seattle Mariners in a seven-game AL Championship Series before losing to the Dodgers in an epic series capped by a memorable 11-inning finale.
“It’s hard to put your back against the wall,” Shapiro said. “This group almost enjoyed having their backs against the wall.”
With such deep development, the turnaround to the start of free agency was short-lived.
Offer of qualification extended to Bichette
Toronto shortstop Bo Bichette, who moved to second base in the World Series after returning from a knee sprain, is one of the bright names on this year's roster.
The Blue Jays confirmed Thursday that they extended Bichette's qualifying offer through the 2026 season, the first move of the offseason. The homegrown two-time All-Star has expressed his desire to remain with the team.
“He played an important role. We’ll be in his market,” Atkins said, without elaborating.
Other notable free agents include right-handers Max Scherzer, Chris Bassitt and Ceranthony Dominguez. Reserve infielders Ty France and Isaiah Kiner-Falefa also have their contracts expired.
Qualifying offers are worth just over US$22 million and players must accept them by November 18th.
With Bichette being the team's only everyday position player heading into free agency, the Blue Jays are in good shape to try to land him with a similar roster in 2026.
The return of starter Shane Bieber, who recently exercised his player option for next year, will stabilize a rotation that will likely include Kevin Gausman, Trey Yesavage, Jose Berrios and possibly Eric Lauer.
The overall team chemistry and camaraderie was strong last season. The players were a confident group who seemed unfazed.
With slugger Vladimir Guerrero Jr. making up the lineup, the Blue Jays led the league in comeback wins. He was joined at the All-Star game by catcher Alejandro Kirk.
Addison Barger had a breakout sophomore campaign, and Nathan Lux became the go-to outfielder when slugger Anthony Santander went down with a lingering shoulder injury.
Braydon Fisher had a successful rookie season with a revamped bullpen that featured Yariel Rodriguez, Mason Fluharty, Tommy Nance, Brandon Little, trade deadline players Luis Varland and Dominguez, and closer Jeff Hoffman, who had a so-so year in his first full season in the ninth inning role.
We have a strong core as the Blue Jays look to overcome adversity next year and win the World Series for the first time since 1993.
“It's about that drive, about continuous improvement, about getting people excited, making this a great place to play and doing the best we can for our fans,” Shapiro said.
Mattingly leaves, plus other interesting tidbits
- Bench coach Don Mattingly will not return next season. He wanted to spend more time with his family, but was open to other opportunities in the game.
- Atkins said Berrios (elbow) is expected to have a “normal” offseason and be ready for spring training.
- Regarding his contract, Shapiro said there was mutual interest in an extension, but playoff negotiations were on hold.
- Atkins confirmed that the team has picked up a contract option with manager John Schneider and negotiations for an extension are underway.
Spring training begins in mid-February in Dunedin, Florida. Toronto will begin the regular season on March 26 against the visiting Athletics.
