Yahoo's MLB panel believes Blue Jays have a shot at contention in 2025

As the Toronto Blue Jays head toward the finish line of a monumentally disappointing season, the front office duo of President Mark Shapiro and General Manager Ross Atkins continue to sell contention in 2025 as a legitimate attraction to a disgruntled fan base.  Now, at least they can say one media outlet agrees with them. Yahoo Sports recently published an article, Which of MLB's non-playoff teams are most likely to contend for October in 2025?

The panel article includes takes from MLB.com and Yahoo Sports scribes and asks the group to select from 13 teams with playoff odds below 1% the ones with the best chance to return to the postseason in 2025. After starting with the Pittsburgh Pirates and their young core, the next two teams selected are the 2023 World Series champs the Texas Rangers and the Cincinnati Reds.

The Jays follow, and the outlook make it seem like a return to contention could be just a few moves and a return to health away. The assessment begins by praising the organization for not doing a full tear-down at the trade deadline and opting to mostly ship out expiring contracts for another run at a potential playoff push next season. 

Unsurprisingly, the piece points to the club retaining Vladimir Guerrero Jr., and Bo Bichette as major reasons they could return to relevance in short order. Alternatively, fans of the Blue Jays also suspect trading one of the two stars could bring back players that could turn the tide.  

The article then shifts to the opportunities given to young players like Spencer Horwitz, and Bowden Francis, plus trade acquisitions Will Wagner and Joey Loperfido. The breakouts the quartet has experienced suggest they could be an integral part of the future. 

The last paragraph highlights the importance of Bichette’s ability to re-emerge as a franchise pillar and the need to overhaul a beleaguered bullpen. The writer is confident of the shortstop’s chances to rebound given the injuries he was dealing with and his previous track record. Upgrading a relief corps is easier than fixing the starting rotation. Jose Berrios, Kevin Gausman, and Chris Bassitt locked in, plus Francis and Yariel Rodriguez continued development, and the starting five remains a stabilizing force. 

If the Blue Jays are serious about contending in 2025, they will have to be aggressive in both the trade and free agent markets Adding a reliable power bat or two to team with Guerrero and possibly Bichette is required. Improving the bullpen and rotation depth will also be a priority for a reversal of fortunes next year.