4 changes the Blue Jays must make immediately after 2024 debacle

After a disappointing 2024 MLB season, the Toronto Blue Jays were destined to embark in an offseason facing a wholesale of changes on the agenda. Jays general manager Ross Atkins may be safe for now as he was recently confirmed to be returning for the 2025 season. However, other action has already begun with the dismissal of various personnel at the management level, including hitting coach Guillermo Martinez, field coordinator Gil Kim and bullpen coach Jeff Ware, along with the re-assignments of assistant pitching coach David Howell and offensive coordinator Don Mattingly.

The Jays will not stop right there, as many more moves need to be made in the coming months if they intend to get back to their winning ways. As a result, let’s a take a look at four changes that the Jays need to make immediately to rectify the debacle of a season that they had in 2024.

Time to take George Springer out of the leadoff spot

Star outfielder George Springer may have made a name for himself for being an elite leadoff hitter for almost the past decade in MLB. However, it has now come the time that he may need to move on from that role going forward.

That is because in 2024, Springer had actually put together his worst season in the role since he was moved into that spot permanently by the Houston Astros during 2016. He batted a dismal .214 with a .640 OPS, along with just 50 runs scored, 13 doubles, 12 home runs, 33 RBI and 14 stolen over 101 games played in the leadoff spot. Those numbers were a far cry from his usual standards that he had produced year in and year out.

With obvious signs of regression occurring for the 35-year-old veteran, it should be about time that the Jays move on from Springer in the position and try out a more traditional leadoff hitter that could be more effective at getting on base and generating runs. At the same time, Springer can still be productive in driving in runs, so moving him further down the lineup could potentially work wonders. As a result, it could present a win-win situation for the Jays going forward if Springer is willing to take one for the team.