The Blue Jays’ next steps (starting with signing Daulton Varsho)

Charles-Alexis Brisebois
The Blue Jays’ next steps (starting with signing Daulton Varsho)
Credit: X

The Blue Jays may have finished improving this winter, but it's also possible that management isn't done yet. Minor moves will undoubtedly take place, but one has to wonder if there will be one final push.

What are Ross Atkins' and Mark Shapiro's priorities at this point?

1. Signing Daulton Varsho, who will be a free agent in a year's time, has to be the club's new priority. It's always been important, but it's becoming more and more of a priority now that the big free agents have mostly found takers.

The Blue Jays have their nose in the Cody Bellinger file, but it's unclear whether it will work out.

Daulton Varsho and George Springer will be free agents a year from now, throwing uncertainty into the long-term outfield. That's why keeping Varsho, whom management loves for his defensive excellence, has become a priority since Kyle Tucker signed elsewhere.

Will it happen? Has it already begun? Does the excellent defensive player want to stay in a stadium that uses a synthetic surface? Who knows.

2. Adding a hitter will have to be on management's shopping list. It doesn't have to be a star like Cody Bellinger, and it doesn't have to happen now (it can happen during the season), but it should be seriously considered.

For a good team, depth is not a luxury.

3. Toronto has a good rotation with a lot of depth. In relief, it's not bad, but it's not among the elite either.

If the club could ever pick up a good left-hander, it would make the club more dangerous.

4. The Blue Jays have several guys on the mound who will become free agents in a year's time. And if there's one the club really needs to keep, it's Kevin Gausman.

It would be important to start talking to him right away, to avoid the risk of him wanting to leave. Maybe the first steps have already been taken in that direction, who knows?

5. The Blue Jays may be able to spend, but they certainly don't want to throw their money around. And the club doesn't need to be burdened with payroll.

They need to find a way to restore Jose Berrios' confidence (I have a feeling this can be done, although a trade isn't completely out of the question) and keep Anthony Santander healthy. It could make all the difference.

The Blue Jays, despite a strong start to the off-season, are victims of the fact that they started moving early after losing in the World Series. So right now, instead of focusing on Dylan Cease-like good moves, fans are mourning the departure of Bo Bichette, whom they loved dearly.

Good news from the Blue Jays would change the narrative a bit.

This content was created with the help of AI.

facebook icon Share twitter icon Tweet linkedin icon Share
Copied!