First to Worst: Interesting off-season awaits after Jays land in division basement
The Toronto Blue Jays finished their 2026 season in last place following a year plagued by injuries to starting pitchers and a significant performance decline from star Vladimir Guerrero Jr. The team is now entering a critical off-season to address roster depth and player development.
Why it matters
The decline of a major market team highlights the volatility of professional sports rosters and the impact of long-term contract performance on team success.
TORONTO — Quiet bats and a string of injuries to starting pitchers helped prevent the Toronto Blue Jays from returning to the post-season. With team brass set to hold season-ending availabilities Wednesday, here’s a look at what went wrong with the Blue Jays this year and where they might go from here. OFF-SEASON First baseman Vladimir Guerrero Jr. was on top of the world last fall as he showed why the team rewarded him with a lucrative long-term contract. Guerrero was a monster at the plate and led the team to within a whisker of a World Series crown. His drop-off in production this year was remarkable. Guerrero hit eight home runs in the post-season alone last year but managed just nine dingers in the entire 2026 campaign. He posted career lows in batting average (.260), slugging percentage (.356) and OPS (.688) this season.
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