We are just under two weeks away from the Jays reporting to Dunedin, Fla.
After a 2025 season in which they advanced to Game 7 of the World Series, the Toronto Blue Jays enter the 2026 campaign as one of the main contenders for the American League pennant again.
However, after losing Bo Bichette in free agency and after missing out on Kyle Tucker, there are questions for the Jays heading into spring training, which begins in less than two weeks.
We've taken a look at three of the biggest questions facing manager John Schneider's squad ahead of 2026.
1) How will the positioning work out?
The Blue Jays could make it simple and play Kazuma Okamoto at third base, Ernie Clement at second and Addison Barger in right field. However, it appears that Schneider's going to have the ability to tinker quite a bit. Okamoto can play some first base and can even play right himself. Barger can play third, as can Clement. And the outfield is full of additional options including Myles Straw, Davis Schneider, Nathan Lukes and Joey Loperfido.
How the playing time shakes out, and how Okamoto develops against major league pitching, will be major storylines to watch.
2) How about all the pitching depth - and will people remain happy?
If everyone remains healthy, the Blue Jays figure to roll with Kevin Gausman, Shane Bieber, Dylan Cease, Trey Yesavage and Cody Ponce in the starting rotation. That forces Jose Berrios and Eric Lauer to the bullpen. Will both players - who have longtime starting backgrounds - be OK with that? Will there be any clubhouse dissent over it?
And about Yariel Rodriguez? He signed a $30 million deal before the 2024 season and has now been outrighted off the roster. Can he truly stay in Triple-A and wait for another chance, or will the team have to trade him or release him?
3) The return of Anthony Santander...
The Blue Jays lost Bichette's offensive contributions and clearly wanted to bring Tucker in to help propel the offense, but they weren't able to secure him before he signed with the Los Angeles Dodgers.
In comes Santander, who signed a five-year deal before the 2025 season after a 44-homer season with the Baltimore Orioles in 2024. He struggled with injury and performance, hitting only .175 with six homers in 54 games. He figures to see regular playing time in the outfield and at designated hitter, so the Jays need him to produce in the way he wasn't able to a season ago.
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