"To call the Toronto Blue Jays' 2024 season a disappointment would be an understatement. They finished last in the AL East with a 74-88 record. The season ended with a sweep by the Miami Marlins and there were plenty of questions about the direction of the team. In 2025, the Blue Jays achieved something only 13 other teams have done in MLB history: they jumped from last in the division to first the next season. The Blue Jays finished the regular season with a 94-68 record to win their first division title in a decade. On Saturday, the Blue Jays opened their first ALDS playoff series since 2016 at home. But how did they get there?"
"The Blue Jays didn't make many significant roster changes between the 2024 and 2025 seasons. Toronto missed out on big-name free agents such as Juan Soto and Roki Sasaki. The Blue Jays did sign free agents Anthony Santander, Jeff Hoffman and Max Scherzer. However, each of these signings struggled at various points throughout the season."
"Santander only played 54 games due to a left shoulder injury. When he was in the lineup, he batted .175 with 6 home runs over 16 hits. Hoffman was second in MLB among relief pitchers in home runs given up with 15. Scherzer's ERA of 5.19 was the second-highest among the Blue Jays' starting pitchers, only ahead of Bowden Francis, who has pitched since June 14th due to injury."
"The 2024 season was a disappointing one for players such as Bo Bichette, Alejandro Kirk, and George Springer. Bichette only played 81 games due to injury, and while in the lineup, his batting average of .255 was his lowest of his MLB career. In 2025, however, Bichette was not just one of the best offensive players on the Blue Jays; he was one of the best in the league. Bichette's tied for second in MLB in batting average (.311) and hits (181). That's despite not playing since September 6 due to a knee injury."
The Blue Jays finished last in the AL East in 2024 with a 74-88 record and were swept by the Miami Marlins to end the season. In 2025 the Blue Jays improved to 94-68, won the division for the first time in a decade, and opened an ALDS series at home. Toronto made few roster overhauls, missing on big free agents but signing Anthony Santander, Jeff Hoffman and Max Scherzer, each of whom struggled at times. Santander played only 54 games and hit .175, Hoffman allowed 15 homers as a reliever, and Scherzer posted a 5.19 ERA. Bo Bichette rebounded to hit .311 and tie for second in MLB with 181 hits despite missing time late in the season.
Read at Jays Journal
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