3 ways the Blue Jays can be right back in contention in 2026 after World Series loss

What a ride it's been for the 2025 Toronto Blue Jays. It's hard to believe that a team with little to no expectations took the best team in baseball to seven games in the Fall Classic and nearly ended with their third World Championship.

For context, before the first pitch of the 2025 season, back on March 26, Fangraphs gave the following projections to the Blue Jays going into the season:

Simply put, it was the surprise of the season, which sent shockwaves across the league. As the heartbreak and agony sit with Blue Jays fans over the next couple of days (or months, or year), eventually, a chapter closes, preparing for a new one to continue the story. One question will resonate with Blue Jays fans as 2026 approaches: What's it going to take to get back to the World Series?

3 ways the Blue Jays can keep the fight alive

Re-sign Bo Bichette

This was an obvious suggestion, right?

When the free agency madness begins in MLB, Bo Bichette will be a hot commodity for all 30 MLB teams. His contract status in 2025 was a lingering undertone as the season progressed, and he was even asked about it during the World Series. Now that the season's over, the talk about where he goes will only be intensified yet again.

Following the Game 7 loss, Bichette told the media, "I've said I want to be here from the beginning," and he's absolutely right. Back in April, Bichette told Sportsnet's Hazel Mae, "It's been my goal since I was a kid to be with one organization my whole career and building a winning culture with Vladdy."

That quote came on the cusp of Vladimir Guerrero Jr. signing his 15-year, $500 million extension, after he stated he didn't have an offer from the Blue Jays' front office.

Bichette is undoubtedly a cornerstone of today's Toronto Blue Jays. Aside from his bounceback season up at the plate in 2025, and coming up big in Game 7 with his three-run home run, he's proven to be a crucial staple to the lineup. Losing him would be catastrophic for the 2026 Blue Jays.

Strengthen the starting rotation

For every baseball team that's successful in its quest for a championship, there 's a great pitching staff, specifically the starting rotation.

As the Blue Jays' well-rounded offense helped the team get to the Postseason and ultimately the World Series, it was the arms on the mound at the start of every game that propelled Toronto to greater heights. Trey Yesavage, Kevin Gausman, Shane Bieber, and even "Mad" Max Scherzer each played their part in their starts in the Postseason.

As the page turns to 2026, the ideal names for the starting rotation (in no particular order) will consist of Trey Yesavage, Kevin Gausman, Jose Berrios, Eric Lauer, and Shane Bieber. However, if Bieber elects free agency, it'll leave a spot open. Securing Bieber as a Blue Jay in 2026 should be a top priority.

With Chris Bassitt and Max Scherzer also entering free agency, the starting rotation depth now looks slim, and it's probably in Toronto's best interest to pick up some strong arms if they want to get back to playing baseball in October.

Yes, the Blue Jays still need another power bat

Stop if you heard this before: "The Toronto Blue Jays need another impact bat."

Those words now echo very differently at the end of the World Series compared to Opening Day. Before Bichette's big pinch-hit home run on May 28 against the Texas Rangers, the Blue Jays ranked 26th in team home runs with 46. Since that fateful May homer, the Blue Jays jumped to eighth in the league with 145 home runs and finished 13th overall.

While bats like Addison Barger, Nathan Lukes, and Ernie Clement found their rhythm and filled the gap of that needed home run ball, you can never say no to more power bats. Players like Pete Alonso, who will hit free agency, would be a perfect designated hitter to add that extra bat in the lineup.

In saying that, adding another bat would most likely shift George Springer back to the outfield and shift somebody like Barger back to the infield with Lukes transitioning to a utility role. However, with a lot of the core remaining beyond 2026, signing a multi-year power bat would help enhance lineups down the road, as manager John Schneider has learned to utilize his bench effectively in different situations.

The lineup is great now, but you also need to think beyond 2026 with examples like George Springer who could leave Toronto once his contract is up. If you can get a reliable bat who can knock out home runs with a core that's growing, then a World Series could come sooner than later to Toronto.