The Toronto Blue Jays have been on the brink of something special in recent years, with a roster brimming with young talent and a team poised to make a deep playoff run. General Manager Ross Atkins, at the helm of the franchise’s roster-building efforts, has overseen the development of a young core led by stars like Vladimir Guerrero Jr., Bo Bichette, and George Springer. However, despite the immense promise, there are growing concerns that Atkins is on the verge of making another significant misstep—one that could jeopardize the Blue Jays’ competitive window and set them back in their pursuit of a championship.
The Blue Jays have been in a win-now mode for several seasons, yet they’ve often come up short in terms of meeting expectations. There’s been a sense that, despite having the talent, the team has lacked the consistency and final pieces needed to break through. With that in mind, Atkins’ decisions in the coming offseason will be critical. Whether it’s roster moves, contracts, or trades, the general direction of the franchise rests heavily on his next moves. The fear, however, is that Atkins could be about to make another colossal error—one that could haunt the Blue Jays for years to come.
The Situation With the Blue Jays’ Current Roster
Before diving into specific moves or potential mistakes, it’s important to understand the state of the Blue Jays’ roster. The team has an enviable mix of established talent and young, promising players. Vlad Guerrero Jr., already an elite hitter and the face of the franchise, continues to be one of the game’s best hitters. Bo Bichette provides dynamic offense at shortstop, and Springer is a veteran presence in the outfield.
Yet, despite these stars, the Blue Jays’ performance has been inconsistent. Their pitching staff, once a point of strength, has struggled to maintain its edge over a full season. While Alek Manoah showed flashes of ace-level potential, he has been inconsistent, and the back-end of the bullpen has left many questions unanswered. There have been periods of underachievement that have left fans wondering if the Blue Jays truly have the depth needed to compete with the league’s top teams, especially in the high-pressure postseason environment.
As it stands, the Blue Jays are a team built to compete in a loaded American League East, but the window is shrinking. The team is on the cusp of a championship-caliber roster, but a few key decisions, particularly around roster construction and player acquisitions, will determine if they can finally take that next step.
The Mistakes That Could Set the Blue Jays Back
Ross Atkins has made several notable moves in his tenure as GM, some of which have paid off and others that have left fans scratching their heads. Despite his success in building a youthful and exciting roster, there’s a growing sentiment that he may be poised to make another critical error—one that could hinder the Blue Jays’ championship aspirations in the short and long term.
1. Failure to Address the Pitching Staff Needs
One of the most glaring weaknesses in recent years has been the Blue Jays’ pitching staff. While the offense has generally been among the best in the league, the team has struggled to find consistent starting pitching beyond a few key contributors. While José Berríos was brought in via trade to solidify the rotation, his performance has been up-and-down, and Alek Manoah, despite flashes of brilliance, has shown inconsistencies that make him a risky option as a true staff ace. The Blue Jays have often relied on patchwork solutions in the rotation, and this issue became glaring in the 2023 season.
The trade deadline in recent seasons presented an opportunity for Atkins to improve the team’s rotation. However, each time, the GM seemed to hesitate or fail to make the bold moves necessary to upgrade the staff. If Atkins does not pull the trigger on acquiring a true ace or at least adding a reliable middle-of-the-rotation arm in the offseason, the Blue Jays may find themselves in the same position next year: a powerful offense, but a pitching staff unable to back it up.
This failure to address the starting pitching woes could be Atkins’ biggest mistake yet. Without a reliable, front-end starter to complement Manoah or Berríos, the Blue Jays could again fall short of postseason success, despite their explosive lineup. Simply hoping that one or two pitchers will suddenly return to form is a risky gamble that could easily backfire.
2. Ignoring Bullpen Reinforcements
The bullpen has also been an area of concern for the Blue Jays. While they have some strong arms in the late innings, there are noticeable gaps in terms of reliability from middle relief to setup men. The lack of depth in the bullpen often rears its head in close games, especially during the dog days of the season when injuries and fatigue take their toll.
In previous years, the Blue Jays were rumored to be in the market for bullpen reinforcements but often came up short. In 2023, when the team could have been more aggressive in acquiring bullpen help at the trade deadline, Atkins failed to make the necessary moves. As a result, the bullpen struggled to lock down games, which often led to late-season collapses or missed opportunities in tight contests.
If Atkins fails to address this issue again in the offseason, he will be repeating a mistake he’s made in the past—one that has undermined the Blue Jays’ postseason potential. A deep and reliable bullpen is essential in today’s game, and teams with weak bullpens often struggle to close out important games in the postseason. If Atkins doesn’t make the necessary improvements here, the team will remain vulnerable in one of the most critical areas of the roster.
3. Overlooking the Need for Veteran Leadership
Another area where Atkins could make a significant mistake is in failing to bring in veteran leadership. While the Blue Jays’ roster is loaded with talented young players, including stars like Guerrero Jr., Bichette, and Alejandro Kirk, there is a lack of players who have been through the highs and lows of playoff baseball. In high-pressure moments, young players can often falter, and while the Blue Jays have had some postseason experience, they need someone who can calm the storm in those key moments.
Veteran players bring more than just solid statistics—they provide a steady presence during moments of tension and the mental toughness required to perform on the game’s biggest stages. Atkins’ reluctance to bring in established veterans could prove costly, especially as the team’s core young stars continue to mature but still lack that level of experience.
While it’s important to continue developing homegrown talent, signing key veterans who can offer guidance and experience may be the missing ingredient to help the Blue Jays finally break through. If Atkins fails to recognize the need for such leadership, it could be yet another critical misstep.
4. Failure to Maximize Vlad Guerrero Jr.’s Prime
Finally, one of the most significant mistakes Atkins could make is failing to properly maximize the prime years of Vladimir Guerrero Jr. With Guerrero, the Blue Jays have one of the most exciting young players in baseball, a potential MVP-caliber talent who has already established himself as one of the best hitters in the league. His window of elite performance isn’t infinite, and as Guerrero continues to mature into a superstar, the Blue Jays must ensure they’re surrounding him with the right pieces to make a championship run.
This means providing Guerrero with a lineup that not only protects him but complements his skills. It also means ensuring the team is consistently in playoff contention so that Guerrero’s peak years are not wasted in mediocrity. Failing to make the necessary moves around Guerrero, whether through trades, free-agent signings, or internal development, could leave him disillusioned with the organization and harm the Blue Jays’ long-term future.
Conclusion: The Road Ahead for Ross Atkins and the Blue Jays
Ross Atkins has a unique opportunity in front of him to solidify the Blue Jays’ future. The team has the talent, the financial resources, and the fanbase to compete for championships, but the decisions Atkins makes in the coming months will determine whether the Blue Jays can finally break through or continue to fall short of their potential.
The fear, however, is that Atkins will make the same mistakes that have plagued the franchise in the past—failing to address pitching needs, neglecting the bullpen, and underestimating the importance of veteran leadership. If Atkins doesn’t take the necessary steps to shore up these areas, the Blue Jays risk losing ground in an increasingly competitive American League East.
As the offseason approaches, all eyes will be on Ross Atkins. The mistakes of the past are still fresh in the minds of fans, and another misstep could send the Blue Jays back to the drawing board, further delaying their pursuit of a World Series title. Time will tell whether Atkins can make the right moves and avoid yet another massive mistake.
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