Blue Jays Reflect on Playoff Run and Anticipate 2026 Season
The disappointment of falling just short of a World Series title remained fresh for Blue Jays president Mark Shapiro and general manager Ross Atkins during their end-of-season media sessions. This came five days after Toronto's narrow 5-4 loss to the Los Angeles Dodgers in Game 7 of the Fall Classic at Rogers Centre.
"It certainly wasn't the last out that we had envisioned," Atkins said. "But a lot leading up to it was what we had envisioned."
Remarkable Season Turnaround
After finishing last in the American League East the previous year, the Blue Jays rebounded impressively. Toronto secured a division crown and earned the top seed in the AL with a 94-win season.
Playoff Milestones
The team achieved their first playoff victory and series win in nine years by defeating the New York Yankees in the AL Division Series. They then overcame the Seattle Mariners in a seven-game AL Championship Series before falling to the Dodgers in a thrilling series, which ended with an 11-inning final game.
"It's tough to have your back against the wall," Shapiro reflected. "This is a group that almost savoured having their backs against the wall."
Looking Ahead to Free Agency
Following this deep postseason run, the focus quickly shifted to the upcoming free agency period. Shortstop Bo Bichette, who shifted to second base during the World Series after recovering from a knee sprain, stands out as one of the key players on the list.
Summary
The Blue Jays experienced a dramatic season rebound, achieving significant playoff success and now prepare strategically for the 2026 campaign.