Blue Jays offseason checklist: Bulking up the offence, rebuilding the bullpen

TORONTO In recent years, each Toronto Blue Jays season has come to a screeching and perhaps unexpected halt.

So, if there was an upside to this years slow march to the end, its that the club could start prepping for what is sure to be a busy offseason sooner than in years past.

Weve got a lot of work to do, and weve got some time to do it.

Weve obviously already started that work, Blue Jays GM Ross Atkins said last week.

There are some obvious areas like adding run-scoring and adding to our bullpen that are easy to point to as opportunities, but we want to be really comprehensive and creative to make sure that were doing it in a way that ensures we take a step.

As Ive talked about, I need to be better.

I have got to do a better job of building that team around a very good core that has been successful, and Im committed to doing so.

GO DEEPER Blue Jays stick with front office status quo, remain 'committed to this core' So what will Atkins and the rest of the front office be looking to improve? Lets look at some offseason priorities for the Blue Jays braintrust.

Bulking up the offence Scoring runs was again an issue for the Blue Jays, who ranked 23rd in runs in 2024.

Its the continuation of a downward trend for Torontos lineup since 2022.

Earlier this week, team president and CEO Mark Shapiro said, It warrants some real reflection on the way were putting the team together and combining talent.

Advertisement Atkins suggested the team needs balance in our roster construction, though cautioned that doesnt simply mean an even number of righty or lefty hitters.

I think its how each player complements one another in that clubhouse and how theyre supported, Atkins said.

One area the Blue Jays need to improve is power hitting after ranking 26th as a team with 156 home runs.

Outside of Vladimir Guerrero Jr.

, who led the team with 30 homers, the Blue Jays struggled to drive the ball this season, finishing in the bottom-third of MLB in hard-hit rate (37 percent).

We were getting into advantage counts at a fine level, but then doing damage is where we saw guys just take some steps back, Atkins said.

Again, thats something Ive got to figure out and how were supporting them.

When asked directly about adding power bats, Atkins gave a meandering answer about being cognizant of strikeouts and the need to balance contact with power in the postseason.

Ultimately, he concluded the Blue Jays are seeking complete hitters and, I think theres more to it than power bats, but were certainly open to adding a power bat.

As for positions to fill, the outfield (specifically left field), DH and third base are spots that could be filled.

The Blue Jays have roster flexibility, especially with an influx of middle infielders, including Will Wagner , Leo Jimenez , Addison Barger , Ernie Clement , Davis Schneider and Orelvis Martinez .

Between all those players, the club could fill both second and third base internally, depending on how things develop this winter.

As for the catching position, the Blue Jays believe Alejandro Kirk has the potential to be behind the plate for at least 100 games and they like Tyler Heineman as a backup, so seeking out another catcher is not something that we are going to put at the top of our list, Atkins said, before adding, We always have to be thinking about taking steps and if theres an incremental one or bigger than incremental one there, and we have the ability to do so, then we will do so.

Advertisement Rebuilding the bullpen Putting together a more effective bullpen is another priority after, as Atkins said, injuries and performance setbacks saw Torontos relievers sink to the bottom of the majors only a year after they were a top-10 unit.

We have to have more depth.

We have to do a better job of avoiding injury, and this year, we have to be probably more aggressive on the external adds, Atkins said about the bullpen.

With that in mind, next years bullpen will look a lot different than it did this year.

Chad Green and Genesis Cabrera figure to be back, while Brendon Little , Ryan Burr , Dillon Tate and Tommy Nance are positioned to compete for spots next spring.

Erik Swanson may be a non-tender candidate, but his 2.55 ERA in the second half could be enough for the Blue Jays to keep him.

Jordan Romano missed much of the season with an elbow injury.

When Atkins was initially asked who the closer is next year, the GM said, I dont know, before later clarifying Romano would be an option to resume his ninth-inning role.

Hes got to come back and be the pitcher (he was), Atkins said.

I dont want to just lay my head on the pillow and say, OK, thats covered.

I want to be open to it, depending upon his return, depending upon how hes feeling.

But I believe he will.

I believe he can.

In any case, the Blue Jays must add anywhere from two to four relievers this offseason.

Manager John Schneider has previously talked about acquiring relievers with more consistent stuff.

You need unique looks and unique stuff stuff that complements one another, guys that can do different things, Schneider said.

Supplementing the starting pitching The rotation would seem to be fairly set.

Veterans Jose Berrios , Kevin Gausman and Chris Bassitt are returning next year, while the club was pleased with the strides Bowden Francis and Yariel Rodriguez made as starters.

In the second half, Torontos rotation ranked ninth in MLB with a collective 3.68 ERA.

Advertisement With that in mind, acquiring starting pitching is a lower priority, although Atkins said they will explore the markets for impact and depth starters.

We are afforded the ability to do so where we dont have to be in the impact market, but we will stay in it, Atkins said.

Their starting pitching depth can be augmented.

The club has young starters Jake Bloss and Adam Macko , who could slot in behind their top five, but with Alek Manoah and Ricky Tiedemann both sidelined until mid-2025 or later as they recover from Tommy John surgeries, the club could use more experienced depth to account for potential injuries.

Sorting through the contract statuses of Bo Bichette and Vladimir Guerrero Jr.

This is a pivotal winter for the Blue Jays to sort out whether they will be able to keep Bo Bichette and Guererro beyond the 2025 season.

Both players are entering their final year of club control before theyre scheduled to become free agents.

Both players have previously stated their desire to remain in Toronto long-term, though they will certainly be seeking fair-market value contracts.

To sign both, the Blue Jays would need to make franchise-record financial commitments while reserving enough payroll to maintain a contending team around them.

Atkins acknowledged the challenge of signing two long-term deals, but ownership has provided incredible support and retaining both players is certainly a possibility.

Now, that doesnt make it just happen because its a possibility, Atkins said.

Its extremely difficult to sign one player to an extension.

Signing two is difficult.

Atkins was asked if Toronto cant sign either or both, whether he was prepared to have one or both depart for only draft pick compensation after next season.

We have to continue to think about whats best for us to win to win now, Atkins said.

Theres a lot of urgency around next year.

Having said that you cannot lose sight of what that means long-term.

Being prepared for having a solid, strong organization that can sustain winning, you have to always think about the short-term and the long-term.

Advertisement Asked if he would be prepared to trade one or both if theyre not competing for a postseason spot, the GM said, I would never say that we have to do something or dont have to do something, and were fortunate to have incredible support that we arent ever backed into a corner that way.

Filling out the coaching staff The Blue Jays made changes to the coaching staff following the season and will need to fill out John Schneiders staff.

Recapping those changes, hitting coach Guillermo Martinez was let go, while field coordinator Gil Kim and bullpen coach Jeff Ware were removed from the major-league coaching staff.

Kim and Ware could be reassigned internally but can explore other opportunities.

The Blue Jays still have two assistant hitting coaches, Hunter Mense and Matt Hague.

Asked specifically about promoting Hague, who earned praise from players this year, Atkins said, Were going to consider external and internal (candidates).

Meanwhile, only a year after Don Mattingly moved into a newly created offensive coordinator role, he is reverting to solely being the bench coach.

DeMarlo Hale was brought in ahead of last season as the associate manager, a role seemingly similar to that of a bench coach.

Hale will remain on staff, Atkins said, and John (Schneider) and Donnie and Dee have already talked about that a great deal, and theyre going to talk about that balance.

When all is said and done, it appears the Blue Jays will be hiring at least two and likely three new coaches to replace Martinez, Kim and Ware.

(Top photo: Cole Burston / Getty Images).

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