TORONTO – A season that started full of hope ended in disappointment for the 2026 Toronto Blue Jays.

A World Series run and free-agent additions, including Dylan Cease, Kazuma Okamoto and Tyler Rogers, fueled optimism as the year began. But due to injuries and underperformance, they finished the season just 79-83, missing the playoffs by 5.0 games despite a weak American League.

Now, it’s time to look forward. While other front offices will spend the month game-planning for the playoffs, the Blue Jays must flip their attention forward.

Even in a playoff year, they devote significant resources to understanding the upcoming free agent and trade markets each October. Those efforts only intensify in a year where they miss, so expect the front office and coaching staff to focus on finding improvements – both getting the most out of their current players and finding newcomers to join the roster.

With that in mind, here’s a look ahead at a few of the biggest questions now facing the Blue Jays as they look to rebound…

How will the Blue Jays get the most out of Vladimir Guerrero Jr. 

This is pretty obviously question No. 1 for the Blue Jays, and if the solution was obvious, we wouldn’t be here. Guerrero Jr.’s 2026 season totals speak volumes: nine home runs, a .688 OPS and 1.1 WAR. 

Beyond the numbers, it was also a challenging season for the 27-year-old, who said those struggles weighed on him heavily. As the season drew to a close, he heard boos at Rogers Centre, where he managed just one home run. 

Now, Guerrero Jr. can get started on a few fronts. Physically, it’s a chance to rest after an intense couple of seasons that also included a lengthy post-season run and the 2026 World Baseball Classic. And while some rest is likely necessary, it’ll soon be time to build back up again.

Mechanically, Guerrero Jr. can work on his swing to make sure he’s not losing any of the things that........

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