TORONTO -- It’s never too early, is it?
The early months of the Blue Jays’ season have been widely imperfect, defined more by injuries and cold starts from star players than any sort of forward momentum. These coming weeks are Toronto's opportunity to choose a direction, and given the state of the American League, anyone with a pulse gets a spot in the Wild Card race.
It’s still a near certainty that Toronto will be buyers at the Trade Deadline on Monday, Aug. 3, at 6 p.m. ET. That’s still nearly eight weeks away, but very soon, it will be framing most of the conversations we have about this team.
Let’s get an early start on this with a look at the Blue Jays’ potential needs and what could happen in the coming weeks to change that:
1) Help for the lineup
Perhaps Vladimir Guerrero Jr., George Springer and Addison Barger are all red-hot a couple of weeks from now. In any other universe, the Blue Jays will be one of many teams looking for a meaningful upgrade to their lineup, which has been kept afloat by unexpected contributions from hitters like Jesús Sánchez, Yohendrick Piñango and Brandon Valenzuela.
First, think beyond 2026 in the outfield. Daulton Varsho is likely a free agent and George Springer, who could return to playing some defense soon and is in the final year of his six-year, $150 million contract, might be joining him. Toronto still has a strong baseline with Nathan Lukes, Myles Straw (team option), Sánchez and Piñango, but there’s plenty of room to raise the ceiling here. There’s also plenty of room to work a year ahead and add a longer-term piece.
The Blue Jays are also thin on infielders right now, which could develop into another priority. Keep an eye on the return of Lenyn Sosa and the progress of No. 12 prospect Josh Kasevich in Triple-A, but as it stands today, Toronto is heavy on outfielders and it lacks a true second option in the middle infield.
Another thing to keep in mind? The Blue Jays haven’t shied away from bats who are limited defensively. Think Brandon Belt, Justin Turner and Daniel Vogelbach, who got plenty of chances in Toronto under this front office and coaching staff. An old-fashioned bench bat could fit this roster nicely.
2) Speaking of 2027… The starting rotation
Again, this is a front office that likes to do its work before it gets cornered by a “need," which is smart. The addition of José Berríos, who they acquired via trade and later extended, is a great example to work with here.
Kevin Gausman, Shane Bieber, Max Scherzer and Patrick Corbin are headed for free agency this offseason. José Berríos could miss some or all of 2027 rehabbing from Tommy John surgery. That leaves the rotation with Dylan Cease, Trey Yesavage and Cody Ponce, who will be returning from ACL surgery.
When healthy, the Blue Jays will have more than enough MLB-caliber starters this year. It’s 2027 and beyond where the real needs lie. That’s where Toronto's biggest opportunities could lie, too.
In the coming weeks, keep an eye on Gage Stanifer (No. 5 prospect), who could make himself an option by next season, and young lefty Johnny King (No. 3), who has a higher ceiling than any pitching prospect in this organization.
COMPLETE BLUE JAYS PROSPECT COVERAGE
3) As always … The bullpen
Every contender needs to upgrade its bullpen, but what could the Blue Jays need, specifically?
They’ve hit the jackpot in Louis Varland, acquired at last year’s Trade Deadline, and their offseason addition of Tyler Rogers was perfectly timed. Along with Braydon Fisher and Mason Fluharty, that’s a fine back end with Yimi García entering the mix soon again, too.
Toronto has enough long relief options, led by Spencer Miles, Adam Macko and Simeon Woods Richardson, but perhaps another high-end lefty to pair with Fluharty could emerge, albeit as more of a “want” than a “need”. Really, any “need” is up to Jeff Hoffman and what the Blue Jays’ former closer shows them in the coming weeks.
If Toronto believes that Hoffman can pitch in the seventh and eighth innings of postseason games, then its bullpen needs will lie more on the periphery, where there’s plenty of room to tinker. If the Blue Jays have any reason to be hesitant about that by mid-July, though, their focus will immediately shift to the top end of the bullpen market. All eyes are on Hoffman, which is nothing new.