Blue Jays executives reflect on deep playoff run, look forward to 2026 season
The sting of coming just a few outs short of a World Series title remained fresh for Toronto Blue Jays president Mark Shapiro and general manager Ross Atkins on Thursday.
They addressed the media five days after Toronto’s narrow 5–4 loss to the Los Angeles Dodgers in Game 7 of the Fall Classic at Rogers Centre.
“It certainly wasn't the last out that we had envisioned,” Atkins said. “But a lot leading up to it was what we had envisioned.”
It was a remarkable turnaround for the Blue Jays, who finished last in the American League East just a year earlier. The team rebounded with 94 wins to claim the division title and secure the top seed in the AL postseason.
Memorable playoff run
Toronto notched its first playoff victory and series win in nine years by defeating the New York Yankees in the AL Division Series. The momentum carried into the AL Championship Series, where the Blue Jays outlasted the Seattle Mariners in seven games before falling to the Dodgers in an unforgettable 11-inning Game 7.
“It's tough to have your back against the wall,” Shapiro said. “This is a group that almost savoured having their backs against the wall.”
Looking ahead to 2026
After such a deep postseason run, the transition to free agency came quickly. Shortstop Bo Bichette, who shifted to second base during the World Series following a knee injury recovery, is one of the standout free agents heading into the offseason.
Author's Summary
The Blue Jays’ near World Series win underscored their dramatic turnaround year, highlighting both resilience and the strong leadership guiding their 2026 ambitions.