Breaking news: Latest free agency whiff means Ross Atkins is nearly out of options to revive the Blue Jays

Breaking News: Latest Free Agency Whiff Means Ross Atkins Is Nearly Out of Options to Revive the Blue Jays

The off-season for the Toronto Blue Jays has been marked by one missed opportunity after another, as the team has failed to land key free agents and trade targets that could have bolstered their roster. The latest setback comes after Ross Atkins, the Blue Jays’ general manager, struck out in his attempts to secure high-profile free-agent talent. The team’s inability to make the splash they were hoping for has led many to question whether Atkins is running out of options to fulfill the Blue Jays’ championship aspirations.

Atkins, who has been at the helm of Toronto’s front office since 2016, is under increasing pressure to deliver results. While the Blue Jays have made strides in recent years, with notable playoff appearances in 2020 and 2021, they have been unable to make a deep postseason run. The club’s failure to add necessary pieces this off-season could be the final straw, leaving Atkins with few avenues to make the improvements necessary for the Blue Jays to compete in the hyper-competitive American League.

This article takes a closer look at the latest free-agent whiff, the state of the Blue Jays’ roster, and the challenges Ross Atkins faces as he tries to restore Toronto to contender status.

The Blue Jays’ Winter of Discontent

The winter of 2024 has been a frustrating one for the Toronto Blue Jays, as the front office has struggled to make the right moves in a key off-season. With a roster that features several superstar players, including Vladimir Guerrero Jr., Bo Bichette, and Alejandro Kirk, the Blue Jays are just a few key pieces away from being legitimate World Series contenders. However, the franchise has failed to capitalize on the opportunities presented by a strong free-agent class.

One of the most significant moments of disappointment for Toronto fans came when the team lost out on Teoscar Hernández, their former outfielder who had an impressive run with the club. The Blue Jays had hoped to bring Hernández back to add power to the lineup, but he ended up re-signing with the Los Angeles Dodgers for a three-year, $66 million deal. This move stung, as Hernández was a key offensive contributor during his time in Toronto. His absence leaves a void in the Blue Jays’ outfield, especially in terms of power hitting.

Similarly, the Blue Jays’ attempts to land some of the most coveted free agents on the market, including pitching stars like Carlos Rodón and Sonny Gray, fell short. While the team was linked to these pitchers throughout the off-season, they were ultimately outbid by other teams with more appealing financial offers or playoff pedigree.

As a result, the Blue Jays find themselves in a precarious position heading into 2024. With the current roster largely unchanged from last season, the team is facing significant pressure to either make a late trade or hope for internal growth to cover the gaps. Atkins’s inability to land the desired free agents raises critical questions about his ability to manage the franchise, with many beginning to wonder if the general manager is nearing the end of his tenure.

The Pressure on Ross Atkins

Ross Atkins was hired as the Blue Jays’ general manager in December 2015, following a successful stint as the Cleveland Indians’ vice president of player personnel. Since then, Atkins has overseen the team’s gradual rebuild, which culminated in a return to playoff contention in 2020. While he was lauded for his ability to rebuild the minor league system and bring in promising young talent, the pressure has increased as the Blue Jays have become more competitive in the AL East.

Despite the team’s progress, Atkins’s tenure has been marred by missed opportunities and questionable decisions. Some of these include failed trades, such as the ill-fated acquisition of Josh Donaldson in 2018, as well as his inability to land a true ace pitcher. Although the Blue Jays have a solid rotation featuring Kevin Gausman and José Berríos, the absence of a bona fide top-tier arm has limited the team’s postseason ceiling.

Atkins has had to operate in the shadows of a historically competitive AL East, with teams like the New York Yankees, Tampa Bay Rays, and Boston Red Sox constantly pushing the Blue Jays to be better. In a division this tough, simply making the playoffs isn’t enough—teams need to be positioned for deep playoff runs. And as the Blue Jays’ roster remains talented but incomplete, Atkins’s lack of big moves in this off-season has left fans and analysts alike questioning his ability to complete the necessary roster upgrades.

This latest round of free-agent whiffs only amplifies those concerns. The Blue Jays’ failure to secure players who could address their major needs—whether in the outfield, bullpen, or at starting pitcher—has placed an enormous amount of pressure on Atkins to make a trade or find other ways to improve the team. However, the question remains: Is there even time to make those moves before opening day, and are the right opportunities still available?

Where the Blue Jays Stand: Needs vs. Reality

To understand why Ross Atkins is running out of options, it’s important to break down the key areas of need for the Blue Jays heading into the 2024 season. These gaps have been well-known for some time, and the failure to address them through free agency raises questions about the Blue Jays’ overall strategy.

1. Outfield Power

As mentioned earlier, the Blue Jays lost Teoscar Hernández to the Dodgers, which leaves a significant hole in their outfield. While George Springer remains an elite player, the team’s corner outfield spots are less secure. Raimel Tapia, while serviceable, is not a true power hitter, and the Blue Jays could use an outfielder with the ability to provide consistent power from the left side of the plate. Hernández, with his career-high 34 home runs in 2021, was exactly the type of player the Blue Jays needed.

With Hernández now off the board, the team could look to trade for an outfielder with power or take a chance on a low-risk free agent, but the opportunities to add a player who can match the offensive production that Hernández would have brought are dwindling. Without a major addition in the outfield, the Blue Jays may struggle to keep pace with the offensive juggernauts in their division.

2. Starting Pitching Depth

While the Blue Jays have some solid pieces at the top of their rotation, such as Kevin Gausman, José Berríos, and Alek Manoah, the team’s starting pitching depth beyond that trio is questionable. Injuries or underperformance could quickly derail the Blue Jays’ plans if they don’t bolster their depth.

The team’s inability to land a pitcher like Rodón or Gray has left them without a true ace-caliber arm to complement Gausman, who is excellent but not in the elite tier of pitchers. Without another high-impact starter, the Blue Jays are relying heavily on internal development and bounce-back years from their existing starters. This is a risky proposition for a team that has playoff aspirations.

3. Bullpen Reinforcements

While the Blue Jays bullpen was relatively effective in 2023, it was also inconsistent at times. With players like Jordan Romano at closer and Yimi García and Adam Cimber in middle relief roles, the team has a foundation to build on, but they could benefit from another late-inning arm or a hard-throwing reliever who can bridge the gap between starters and the closer.

Again, the Blue Jays were linked to some of the top bullpen arms on the market but were unable to secure a major addition. With the bullpen still somewhat unproven in high-leverage situations, the failure to reinforce this area could come back to haunt the Blue Jays during the dog days of summer or in the postseason.

Is There Still Time to Turn It Around?

With spring training just around the corner, Ross Atkins faces a critical juncture in his career as the Blue Jays’ general manager. The team’s needs are clear, but the window of opportunity to address them is quickly closing. At this point, Atkins will have to be creative in how he uses the resources available to him.

The most likely path forward will involve trades, as the free-agent market is increasingly limited. The Blue Jays could look to package some of their young talent—such as top prospects like Jordan Groshans or Orelvis Martinez—in an effort to acquire an impact player at a position of need. However, trades at this point in the off-season can be difficult to execute, and the Blue Jays may find themselves limited by a lack of available assets or other teams’ reluctance to trade for prospects in a seller’s market.

If Atkins is unable to make any substantial moves before the start of the 2024 season, the Blue Jays may have no choice but to rely on internal improvements and hope for the best. But this scenario would likely only delay inevitable questions about Atkins’s ability to deliver a championship-caliber team to Toronto.