Blue Jays’ Surprise Success and Looking Ahead
In 2025, the Toronto Blue Jays stunned the baseball community by clinching the American League East title and advancing to the World Series. This was a remarkable turnaround from 2024, where they struggled to a mere 74 wins and appeared to be a team without a clear path forward.
There had been talks about Toronto acquiring top free agents, yet it often felt like they were on the verge of something great but just couldn’t quite get there. There were also speculations about Vladimir Guerrero Jr.’s future, with the possibility of him entering free agency looming. A complete rebuild seemed more plausible than a shot at the World Series.
However, the Blue Jays managed to secure Guerrero Jr. with a substantial extension, leading to an impressive defensive transformation. The combination of players gelled perfectly, culminating in a thrilling Game 7 that put the two-time champion Dodgers in a tough spot.
Baseball can be unpredictable, and a few teams might be poised to make a significant leap in 2026.
The primary contenders to follow in the Blue Jays’ footsteps are from the same division. Before the current season, the Baltimore Orioles were seen as an up-and-coming team with playoff aspirations. Back-to-back postseason appearances were just the beginning, as many of their star players were still young. Expectations were high for 2025.
Led by Gunnar Henderson and Adley Rutschman, the Orioles had a young core envied across the league. Yet, the season took a turn for the worse due to pitching issues that went unaddressed in the offseason. The impact of injuries and the decline of seasoned players made for a rocky start.
After a 15-28 beginning, the Orioles made the tough decision to part ways with former Coach of the Year Brandon Hyde. Ultimately, their season ended with a disappointing 75 wins against 87 losses.
Just like 2024 was a challenging year for the Jays, 2025 was a bit of a nightmare for Baltimore. Concerns about the pitching staff were prominent, but the batting lineup suffered from instability and injuries as well. Key players like Jordan Westberg, Colton Kauser, and Adley Rutschman missed significant time.
While Gunnar Henderson didn’t sit out often, he wasn’t performing at his best. His season stats—bWAR of 5.3, 17 home runs, and an OPS of .787—were decent, though a far cry from his impressive 9.1 bWAR and 37 home runs in 2024.
It’s not uncommon for young players to regress after a stellar breakout year, and Henderson’s situation is no different. But he had proven himself among the elite before.
Going forward, the front office needs to learn from past missteps and focus on strengthening their rotation. With Trevor Rogers stepping up and Grayson Rodriguez and Kyle Bradish returning from injuries, the Orioles could find their footing next season.
It hasn’t been long since the Orioles were viewed as a promising team. Although 2025 was a setback, there’s hope for the future.
Another team that could emerge as a contender in 2026 is the Atlanta Braves. After qualifying for the playoffs each year from 2018 to 2024, they finished the latest season with a disappointing 76 wins, missing out on October baseball.
The Braves, like the Orioles, grappled with injuries during 2025. Ronald Acuña Jr. made his way back from a second ACL injury by late May, but significant time off the field hampered their performance, along with setbacks for Spencer Strider and Austin Riley. Plus, Jurickson Profar faced an 80-game suspension shortly into the season.
Brian Snitker, a long-time part of the organization, retired after 49 years. His role was taken over by bench coach Walt Weiss, who will need to focus on adding depth to the pitching staff and invigorating a somewhat stagnant core since their 2021 World Series victory.
Similarly, the San Francisco Giants have been somewhat average since their standout 107-win season in 2021, with records around or just above .500 over the past few seasons—a real flavor of mediocrity.
This offseason, they’ve made changes by hiring former University of Tennessee coach Tony Vitello, known for his college coaching prowess and charismatic approach. Though he lacks major league experience, the Giants have faith that he can bring fresh energy to the team.
There are some promising talents in place, including Matt Chapman and Willie Adames, who stepped up despite initial challenges. Rafael Devers has added a left-handed power option to the lineup, and there’s potential to work with, particularly with underrated pitcher Logan Webb on the roster.
In a division often overshadowed by the Dodgers, a successful offseason coupled with Vitello’s modern strategies might just propel the Giants back into contention.
