As the Blue Jays continue to spin out of control, is 2024 just a lost season?

We're only in May but the 2024 season hasn't gone as planned for the Toronto Blue Jays so far. They are at the bottom of the AL East standings (16-19), a record which is worse than the Oakland A's and 7.5 games back of the Orioles. Not to mention, the Jays are riding a four-series losing streak.

In an article by Ken Rosenthal earlier this week, he mentioned the Blue Jays being surprise sellers at the trade deadline. If the Jays continue to perform the way they are and with multiple impending free agents, could this scenario become a reality?

Below average offence and subpar pitching are the main reasons why the Blue Jays currently sit three games under .500. So outside of defense, there's not a whole lot going right for the club right now.

The Blue Jays' offence has been an ongoing issue since last season when they were ranked 16th in offensive categories such as batting average, (.256), OPS, (.746) and runs, (746). Unfortunately, the numbers have only gotten worse.

The Jays currently rank 26th in those categories with only the Mariners, Rockies, Cardinals and White Sox below them. The Jays' management were hoping for internal improvements but this simply hasn't been the case as Vladimir Guerrero Jr. has a .239 batting average with just 4 home runs and an OPS of .711, while George Springer, who is struggling in the leadoff spot, is also performing well below his career averages.

Prior to Saturday's game against the Nationals, the Blue Jays addressed this by moving Bo Bichette, with a .198 average down from the 2-hole to 5 and replaced by Daulton Varsho, who leads the team in home runs. Perhaps these lineup changes will plug an offensive spark which the Blue Jays desperately need alongside the return of Kevin Kiermaier?

Unlike the offence, last year the bullpen was solid especially with the deadline acquisitions of Genesis Cabrera and flame-thrower Jordan Hicks, who is thriving as a starting pitcher for the Giants. Sadly, the bullpen has reverted to its old ways with key members Chad Green, Bowden Francis and Yariel Rodriguez are on the injured.

As a result, the starting pitchers are expected to go deep into games but even the rotation, which finished 4th in ERA last year has shown signs of regression. They rank 23rd in the league with a team ERA of 4.51. Although José Berríos was deservedly named AL pitcher of the month and Kevin Gausman has rebounded after a tough start, Chris Bassitt's been terrible with a 5.45 ERA in 36.1 innings pitched and a 1.68 WHIP. On Sunday in the series finale, Alek Manoah made his long-awaited return to the rotation which didn't go well, (4IP, 7R's, 6 ER's, 4 BB's and 6K's.) He is set to remain in the rotation for the foreseeable future.

John Schneider has often stressed the need to turn the tide, however the offence has continued to perform below league average and the pitching has suffered. Consequently, changes might be just around the corner and Ken Rosenthal might've been onto something with the early talk of "selling" at the deadline.