The Toronto Blue Jays were one half-inning away from being immortalized as the 2025 World Series champions and stopping the Los Angeles Dodgers from a dynasty, though a Miguel Rojas (and later Will Smith) home run cost them down the stretch.
Now, the front office is tasked with regrouping and bringing meaningful upgrades to the team that can take them over the hump.
They are in a World Series-contending window currently, powered by Vladimir Guerrero Jr., who is entering the peak of his powers.
According to MLB insider Jim Bowden, their recent playoff success should signal to ownership that the time for investing in the team is now.
The Jays are linked to superstar outfielder Kyle Tucker, a well-rounded talent who can do it all on a baseball field. He is set to sign the biggest free-agent contract, and Bowden believes Toronto should open its checkbook.
“But when you’re running a franchise with like Mark Shapiro that’s representing the country of Canada and you are one inch away from winning a world championship, it’s pedal to the metal, baby,” Bowden said on MLB Network Radio.
“You’re that close to winning, and if you have a chance to get Kyle Tucker, yes, get it done. And by the way, can you get Framber Valdez? Do that too.
“You can get Dylan Cease? Do that too. So you’re that close. You got the money. You got the resources. Finish the job.”
While Tucker is not a franchise player in his own right, paired alongside a player like Guerrero, he could very well take Toronto over the top. He is an elite defender who contributes offensively and in baserunning.
He upgrades the middle of the lineup and makes a great offense even better. If they signed Tucker, they would be one or two quality starting pitchers from being the World Series favorite.
