It's not about the players, it's about the mindset.
Pitchers and catchers report to Dunedin, Fla. for the first Toronto Blue Jays workout of new campaign on Feb. 11. After getting to Game 7 of the World Series in 2025, the Jays enter this season as one of the American League favorites. And after spending nearly $350 million in guaranteed money this offseason, they are doing all they can to win the World Series for the first time since 1993.
And while the Jays have some roster questions heading into the year, the biggest questions for this team have nothing to do with on-field stuff or roster construction. It's all about mindset.
Let's take a look.
1) How do they get over a tough loss in Game 7?
We see this in sports often. A heartbreaking defeat can go one of two ways. It either galvanizes you, like in the case of the 2003/2004 Boston Red Sox, who lost on the famous Aaron Boone walk-off in the ALCS in '03 and then won the title in 2004.
Or, it breaks you. The Seattle Seahawks were on the doorstep of a dynasty when they famously threw the ball at 1-yard line in the 2014 Super Bowl against the New England Patriots. The team splintered, never recovered and took more than a decade to get back to the Super Bowl.
How you handle and process those losses is of huge importance to what happens in the subsequent season. The Blue Jays will find that out in 2026.
2) How do they handle the pressure?
The Blue Jays finished in last place in the American League East in 2024, so they entered 2025 with minimal expectation. That allowed them to play free and loose and to sneak up on some teams.
Now? They're the hunted. How do they handle that? Because it's a different dynamic.
3) Do they enjoy the process?
The Blue Jays have been right at the top of the mountain. It's understandable if they can't wait to get back again. But sometimes, in an effort to fast forward to October, you slip up along the way.
Do the Jays relish the daily grind in the same way they did in 2025? Are they able to focus daily, or are they too worried about looking ahead?
Also to know
Former Blue Jays player and manager Buck Martinez announced his retirement from broadcasting on Friday. He will not broadcast the 2026 season and will be missed.
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