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 previously made him an impact bat. For instance, by trying to cover two-seamers inside early in the season, the Blue Jays feel like he lost some of his power to the middle of the field.

As for the mental side of the game, the off-season represents a chance to reset and take advantage of some of the resources the Blue Jays offer behind the scenes. One way or another, this offseason is a real chance for a turnaround.

How will the Blue Jays augment their offence?

The Blue Jays’ offence was objectively awful this year. Of the 30 MLB teams, they ranked 30th in home runs and 30th in runs scored, so if there’s one area the Blue Jays must absolutely address from outside the organization this winter, it’s offence. 

How do they get back to where they were a year ago this time?

“We’ve been asking ourselves that all year,” manager John Schneider said Sunday. “We just didn’t hit the standard.”

If Guerrero Jr. is his typical self, he’s hitting a lot more than nine home runs. A healthy Anthony Santander would help, too. And Addison Barger, who delivered only one hit all season (a double), should also offer more in 2027.

At the same time, the Blue Jays clearly need outside help. George Springer is on the brink of free agency and no longer fits this roster cleanly. Plus, others could get hurt or regress. 

Under those circumstances, Blue Jays executives will spend much of October surveying the trade and free agent markets for bats. Free agents including Seiya Suzuki, Brandon Lowe and Randy Arozarena are sure to be the subjects of plenty of due diligence from the Blue Jays, with more serious pursuits possible. And speculatively, the likes of C.J. Abrams and Gunnar Henderson would be interesting, albeit extremely high-priced trade targets.

There’s also the Japanese market, including 27-year-old Teruaki Sato, who’s certain to draw interest from the Blue Jays this winter. 

How will the Blue Jays navigate the Japanese market?

There’s a lot of talent overseas, and the Blue Jays have emerged as a leading candidate for players out of Japan and Korea in recent years. While not all of their pursuits have resulted in free agent signings, the acquisitions of Cody Ponce and, more importantly, Kazuma Okamoto, show proof of concept for the strides the team has made there.

True to form, the Blue Jays are putting in significant work scouting the latest class of players featuring the left-handed hitter Sato and pitcher Kaima Taira, among others. While Sato has primarily played third base this season, he also has experience as a corner outfielder and his offensive numbers — 37 home runs and a 1.012 OPS — can’t be ignored. The Blue Jays have early interest in those two among others; the question is how serious that interest becomes and to what extent it’s reciprocated. 

With Okamoto in place — and succeeding — the Blue Jays are better positioned than ever to recruit NPB stars. The third baseman says he’s happy to help GM Ross Atkins recruit if asked, and he’s said to be friendly with Suzuki, which could be useful if the Blue Jays want to push for the longtime Cub.

How will the Blue Jays use Spencer Miles in 2027?

In a year filled with underwhelming performances, Spencer Miles was the ultimate overachiever. A Rule 5 pick whose previous professional career high in innings pitched was 16, the 26-year-old soared past all reasonable expectations by posting a 2.63 ERA in 95.2 innings.

So, what now? Schneider estimated the Blue Jays could reasonably add 20-30 innings to that total in 2027, creating the possibility that he could turn into an effective No. 5 starter.

“I think he has his stuff to do it,” Schneider said. “You just have to be pretty convicted in a plan based on his background and what’s going to be best for him health-wise.”

The decision will also be impacted by how much starting pitching the Blue Jays add over the winter. The more healthy starters they have, the more tempting it’ll be to keep Miles in the high-leverage, high-volume bullpen role he carved out for himself in 2026.

How will the Blue Jays navigate a potential work stoppage?

Unfortunately, there’s significant labour uncertainty hovering over the offseason, with MLB expected to lock out the players starting Dec. 1.

If and when there’s a work stoppage, team employees will no longer be allowed to contact players on 40-man rosters, so the Blue Jays are working on a series of personalized workout plans for each player. That way, the players will have some direction and support should there be an extended period of time where contact isn’t permitted.

Will there be a Rule 5 Draft, forcing the Blue Jays to add the likes of Gage Stanifer and Nolan Perry to their 40-man roster? If so, who gets protected? … Will Max Scherzer keep pitching following his incredible season finale, and could a reunion with the Blue Jays occur? … Will Josh Smith be tendered a contract through arbitration, even though it’ll mean paying him more than his current $3.23 million salary? … If they don’t exercise Myles Straw’s $8 million club option, could the Blue Jays still find a way to bring him back? As of now, Straw doesn’t know, but he loves playing in Toronto. … Speaking of players who love Toronto, could Shane Bieber return? And what are Kevin Gausman’s plans? … On the injury front, how does Dylan Cease’s shoulder recover from the shoulder inflammation that forced him to the injured list at the end of the season? … And how does Mason Fluharty recover from a season in which he pitched an MLB-leading 83 times? … Lastly, how many of the Blue Jays’ 12 big-league coaches return for 2027?