Blue Jays president Mark Shapiro and general manager Ross Atkins expressed their disappointment during end-of-season media sessions following Toronto’s close loss to the Los Angeles Dodgers in Game 7 of the World Series at Rogers Centre. Despite falling short of the championship, the Blue Jays had a successful season, bouncing back from a last-place finish in the AL East the previous year to clinch the division title and secure the top seed in the AL with 94 wins.
The team’s playoff journey included their first postseason victory in nine years, defeating the New York Yankees in the AL Division Series and prevailing over the Seattle Mariners in a seven-game AL Championship Series before ultimately losing to the Dodgers in an intense 11-inning Game 7 of the World Series.
Toronto extended a qualifying offer to shortstop Bo Bichette for the 2026 season, signaling their interest in keeping the talented player on the team. As free agency looms, other notable players like Max Scherzer, Chris Bassitt, and Seranthony Dominguez are also on the market.
The Blue Jays are looking to maintain their core roster for the upcoming season, with the return of key players like Shane Bieber and the potential addition of new talent. The team’s strong camaraderie and performance in the previous season have set high expectations for their World Series pursuit in 2026.
Bench coach Don Mattingly will not be returning next season, while updates on player injuries and contract negotiations were also shared during the media sessions. The team is gearing up for spring training in mid-February in Florida, with the regular season set to commence on March 26 against the Oakland Athletics.