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Toronto Blue Jays Top Five Offseason Priorities

By Tim Haberin

Jun 16, 2016; Philadelphia, PA, USA; The Toronto Blue Jays logo on a sleeve patch during a game Philadelphia Phillies at Citizens Bank Park. The Toronto Blue Jays won 13-2. Mandatory Credit: Bill Streicher-USA TODAY Sports
Jun 16, 2016; Philadelphia, PA, USA; The Toronto Blue Jays logo on a sleeve patch during a game Philadelphia Phillies at Citizens Bank Park. The Toronto Blue Jays won 13-2. Mandatory Credit: Bill Streicher-USA TODAY Sports /
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The Toronto Blue Jays want to clear the ALCS hurdle, but they have some big decisions to make this offseason. Here are their five top priorities.

After being bounced in the ALCS for the second straight year, the Toronto Blue Jays head into offseason with some major choices to make. Two players who have been cornerstones of their lineup for the past several seasons are eligible for free agency. Whatever happens with Edwin Encarnacion and Jose Bautista will largely shape the franchise’s outlook for 2017.

The last two years have featured the Jays’ best run of success since they won back-to-back World Series titles in 1992 and 1993. It will be up to President of Baseball Operations Mark Shapiro and General Manager Ross Atkins to ensure that success continues. When the club dealt for David Price and Troy Tulowitzki prior to the 2015 trade deadline, there was a sense they were making a bid to win in a very small window. After all, Price would likely leave in free agency (he did) and Encarnacion and Bautista would be eligible a year later. (It’s also worth keeping in mind that Josh Donaldson is signed for just two more seasons.)

Fortunately for Toronto, several young players have emerged over the past year or so who could be part of the team’s core beyond the immediate future. While keeping those powerful veteran bats is an important part of the formula, it no longer looks like the only ingredient. The Jays have become known for their potent offense, but the starting rotation took a definite leap forward in 2016, led by pitchers like Aaron Sanchez, J.A. Happ and Marco Estrada. And despite an up-and-down year, the club should feel good about Marcus Stroman‘s future as well.

The Blue Jays have the pieces in play to make themselves a more well-rounded squad for years to come. Doing so should help keep that window open longer than initially expected. For next season, though, the goal is clear: get that ALCS monkey of their backs and advance to the franchise’s first Fall Classic in nearly a quarter century.

So without further ado, here are five issues the team should prioritize this offseason if they want to get there.

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