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Blue Jays manager John Schneider oversees a pitching staff in flux as the offseason winds down.
Going into the 2026 season, the Toronto Blue Jays feel like they have some unfinished business. They won the American League last year and won the American League pennant to advance to the World Series. They came up short in their goal of winning it, dropping Game 7 at home to the Los Angeles Dodgers.
Coming so close made for a long offseason for the Blue Jays. However, there were some big offseason changes that happened with the roster. Gone is Bo Bichette, who left for the New York Mets in free agency. Starting pitcher Chris Bassitt left for the Baltimore Orioles, and reliever Seranthony Domíninguez left for the Chicago White Sox.
However, the Blue Jays made some rather big additions in free agency. They signed Dylan Cease early away from the San Diego Padres and inked third baseman Kazuma Okamoto, one of the top Japanese free agents. Players are gathering for spring training in Florida, and manager John Schneider had his first message for his club in 2026.
Toronto Blue Jays Manager John Schneider Delivers Clear Message to Team
It would be easy for Toronto to come back with a hangover for the players who were part of a memorable postseason run that came up one game short. Schneider, however, had a clear message for his team on Monday morning about the 2026 campaign.
“We’re not defending anything,” said Schneider. “We’re not defending the AL East. We’re not defending the American League. We’re attacking 2026 like we did ’25. We’re trying to win the division. We’re trying to win the World Series.”
That is some great coach speak, if we’re being honest, but it is the perfect way to approach this season. Again, they were one bad break away from third base in the ninth inning against the Dodgers in Game 7 last year by Isiah Kiner-Falefa from winning it all. They were that close. IKF is also gone, but the message to a veteran team still rings the same.
Toronto Blue Jays Loading Up for Another Run in 2026
Sure, the rest of the AL East got better, for the most part, but Toronto is still the team to beat going into 2026. Cease is a big addition to the rotation, and they also added Cody Ponce. Shane Bieber opted in for 2026, which was a surprise move, and Tyler Rogers was added to the bullpen. Yes, the Blue Jays are the team to beat to begin the season on paper.
Looking around the division and the rest of the American League, the Baltimore Orioles improved by adding Bassitt and Pete Alonso. The New York Yankees will get Gerrit Cole back at some point. The Boston Red Sox added left-hander Ranger Suárez in free agency. The Detroit Tigers added Framber Valdez at the top of the rotation with Tarik Skubal. They also brought veteran Justin Verlander back.
All of those teams are going to be in the mix, but the Blue Jays are the defending American League champs, even if Schneider doesn’t want to admit it. They have as good a shot as anyone in the AL to get to the World Series and try to likely dethrone the Dodgers again.
Scott Roche Scott Roche covers college football, NFL, NBA and MLB for Heavy.com and has three decades of sports writing, covering everything from college to professional sports. More about Scott Roche
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