Blue Jays projected to overcome their one offensive weakness from 2025

The Toronto Blue Jays had a successful 2025 season, except for one glaring weakness. They finished in the top five offensively in MLB for runs, RBIs, batting average, on-base percentage, and OPS. Their one offensive weakness was home runs, where they finished tied for 11th in MLB with 191. The apparent reason for the lack of long balls was Anthony Santander's struggles.

He was signed last offseason after hitting 44 home runs with the Baltimore Orioles. However, he had a disappointing debut in Toronto, when he only hit six home runs over an injury-plagued season. He suffered a shoulder injury in May after a crash into the outfield wall.

This injury held him out until late September. Santander was able to return for the last few weeks of the regular season. He made the postseason roster. However, a back injury forced him to be replaced during the ALCS and shut down his season.

It was a massive disappointment for Santander, who is seeking a major bounce-back in the upcoming season. He'd boost the home run numbers if he could stay healthy. Thomas Nestico of TJStats has posted his projections for the 2026 season. His projections averaged five platforms' predicted statistics. He predicts the Blue Jays will finish seventh in home runs, averaging 213, 22 more than last season.

Blue Jays projected to overcome their one offensive weakness from 2025

For the Blue Jays to reach this expectation, they'll need help from a few sources. They lost Bo Bichette to free agency and, eventually, to the New York Mets, but they signed Japanese slugger Kazuma Okamoto to fill Bichette's void. Okamoto brings a massive power bat over from Japan, where he hit 30 home runs in each season from 2018 to 2023. His most home runs were 41 in 2023, but still he will face significant pressure to match Bichette's production.

The team can also use a boost from Vladimir Guerrero Jr. and Daulton Varsho. Guerrero Jr. hit 23 home runs last season over 680 plate appearances, but he started the season slowly. The first baseman didn't hit his first homer until his 19th game of the season. The 23 long balls were his lowest number since the 2020-shortened season.

Varsho could have set a career high in homers last season if not for injuries shortening his season. He hit 20 home runs over 271 plate appearances, which trailed the 27 home runs he hit over 581 plate appearances in 2023. If the center fielder can stay on the field, we may witness his best season. The Blue Jays are hoping Varsho can stay healthy since they didn't make any offensive additions besides Okamoto, though they tried but failed.

Santander, Guerrero Jr., and Varsho are the three biggest names to help increase the Blue Jays' home run total this season. However, there could be several players who could provide an uptick in power. The team is in an exceptional position to repeat as American League champions. A power increase would definitely boost the chances of repeating as AL champs and returning to the World Series. Hopefully a different outcome, though.