The Toronto Blue Jays could look vastly different this time next season. Coming off a last-place finish in the American League East, the team faces a future without Vladimir Guerrero Jr. and Bo Bichette, as both approach free agency. Here are five burning questions facing the Blue Jays entering the 2025 season.
What does the future hold for Vladimir Guerrero Jr. and Bo Bichette?
The duo has been the face of the franchise for half a decade, but their tenure could be ending. Toronto failed to reach a contract extension with Guerrero and appears to have made no significant effort to extend Bichette. With both hitting free agency after 2025, the Blue Jays must decide whether to trade their All-Stars for rebuilding pieces or risk facing fan backlash if they walk away for nothing.
Related: 6 Trade Destinations for Vladimir Guerrero Jr. After Toronto Blue Jays Extension Talks Collapse
What does Max Scherzer have left in the tank?
Max Scherzer, a three-time Cy Young winner and one of his generation’s best pitchers, is coming off an injury-plagued season as he made just nine starts for the Texas Rangers. The 40-year-old signed a one-year, $15.5 million deal with Toronto, believing he still has something left. It would be a major win if Scherzer is able to make 25-28 starts this season. If Scherzer stays healthy, he could even bring a prospect lottery ticket at the trade deadline should the Blue Jays become sellers.
How will Toronto Blue Jays utilize top prospect Orelvis Martinez?
Orelvis Martinez, one of baseball’s top power-hitting prospects with 110 home runs over five minor-league seasons, faces uncertainty. Suspended 80 games for PED use just two days after his MLB debut last June, the 23-year-old lacks a true position due to defensive limitations. The Blue Jays may need to utilize him as a designated hitter.
Related: ‘They blew it’: MLB insider rips Toronto Blue Jays for not trading Vladimir Guerrero Jr.
Can Blue Jays offense rebound after disastrous offensive season?
Outside of Guerrero, Toronto struggled at the plate in 2024, ranking 26th in home runs (156), 17th in OPS (.702), and 23rd in runs scored (671). New addition Anthony Santander brings power after hitting 44 home runs in his All-Star season with the Baltimore Orioles. The team needs Bichette to bounce back from an injury-plagued year where he hit just four home runs with a .598 OPS, 71 OPS+, and -0.3 bWAR in 81 games.
Related: Toronto Blue Jays overpaying for Anthony Santander has ‘sniff of desperation,’ MLB insider asserts
Can Jeff Hoffman revitalize one of worst bullpens in baseball?
The Blue Jays’ relief corps ranked among MLB’s worst in 2024, finishing 29th in strikeouts (502) and ERA (4.82) while allowing a league-high 92 home runs. They’re betting on Jeff Hoffman, who emerged as an elite reliever with the Philadelphia Phillies, signing him to a three-year, $33 million deal despite health concerns with his pitching shoulder that caused Baltimore and the Atlanta Braves to back away.
Related: Baltimore Orioles reportedly pulled $40 million deal off table for All-Star after failed physical
