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The AL East is not going anywhere
One of the harshest realities for Blue Jays fans is that the AL East is as tough as ever. While Toronto has improved and added talent, so have their rivals. The top of the AL East is remains competitive year after year, making it a constant uphill battle for the Blue Jays to secure a playoff spot, let alone win the division.
The Baltimore Orioles are competitive in the AL East for several reasons due to a mix of young talent and strategic player development. Meanwhile, the New York Yankees’ financial resources allow them to bounce back quickly despite any ups and downs, making it difficult for the Blue Jays to bounce back effortlessly after a down season. The Tampa Bay Rays will also aim to be competitive in the AL East due to their innovative approach to team-building and a deep commitment to analytics. Despite having one of the lowest payrolls in baseball, the Rays manage to maximize value by identifying and developing under-the-radar talent, often turning overlooked players into high-impact contributors. The AL East is one of the hardest divisions to dominate, and Toronto will have to deal with that pressure yet again in 2025.
For fans, the idea of being in a constant fight for wild-card spots or falling short of postseason hopes despite a solid roster is frustrating. However, in the current AL East, that is the reality the Jays must accept and work to overcome.