3 mistakes the Blue Jays cannot afford to make before the 2025 season

Some may say the Blue Jays have made plenty of mistakes this offseason, but the ultimate problem centered around players just ... not wanting to sign with Toronto. That has been very frustrating for the fanbase, and set the team up with only a few options to finish the offseason successfully. Luckily, the Jays seem heavily involved with many of those options, and all may be well soon.

With spring training starting next month, Toronto may make an impulse decision to make sure they secure a player on time. Given how strong the AL East is looking for 2025, let's examine a few mistakes the Blue Jays cannot make before the 2025 season.

The Blue Jays must not make these mistakes before the 2025 season.

Trading their homegrown players in Vladimir Guerrero Jr. and Bo Bichette

Aside from spending money in free agency, extending their homegrown talents is a major priority. Both of these guys have appeared in trade rumors, and trading them would be a foolish idea, even if extension talks fizzle out. After all, Toronto is now clearly working to build up their big league roster with the signings of Anthony Santander and Jeff Hoffman.

The two incumbent starts are coming off polar opposite years; Guerrero Jr. a career-best season and Bichette a career-worst campaign. Nonetheless, both have been critical in previous years, and Toronto would be wise to lock each of them up before they hit free agency. Perhaps Bichette's willingness to recruit Roki Sasaki and the Santander signing will hint at brighter futures north of the border for both stars.

Not adding another starting pitcher through free agency

The Blue Jays have a strong rotation at the moment, but adding another arm in free agency would better set them up to compete in their strong division. They have been linked to Max Scherzer recently, and that would fill the hole with a future Hall of Famer.

Not only would it make their rotation stronger, but it would push Yariel Rodriguez to the bullpen. He has a lot of upside and would be better suited as a reliever. Rounding out that group with Scherzer would help Toronto to keep in contention in 2025.

Adding another outfielder on the free agent market

Once Daulton Varsho is healthy, the Blue Jays outfield is actually going to be above average. Even after adding Santander, they were rumored to be involved with Jurickson Profar prior to him signing with Atlanta.

Adding more bats is undoubtedly something they need to do before spring training, but not in the outfield. Not only are they going to have that solid starting three, but they will have Myles Straw as the fourth outfielder, making a big chunk of money. They can't pay him over $10 million to get at-bats in Triple-A, so they should at least use him since they are paying him.

Avoiding these three mistakes will be crucial towards deciding the 2025 season. Keeping Bichette and Guerrero Jr. with the intention of extending them should be a priority. Letting Rodriguez start the year in the rotation would also be less than ideal, so bringing in another starter would be best. Lastly, Toronto should be adding another bat or two, but not in the outfield, given their current roster situation.