Toronto Blue Jays hopeful ahead of season opener despite tough 2024, uncertainty over star player

There may be an ice storm in Toronto's forecast, but inside Rogers Centre, spring has returned. 

The Blue Jays were back in their home stadium Wednesday for batting practice and to speak with reporters ahead of their season opener against the Baltimore Orioles Thursday afternoon. 

Despite a difficult 2024 where the club finished last in the division, coaches and players say they've made improvements needed to push for the playoffs this season.

Manager John Schneider said his veterans and newcomers have gelled through spring training and are ready to compete.

"Everybody's speaking the same language," he told reporters at a workout session at Rogers Centre.

Schneider says he's still finalizing his lineup for Thursday's 3 p.m. game, but he's already decided pitcher Jose Berrios will start for his second straight home opener. 

Despite finishing last in their division with a 74-88 in the 2024 season, Berrios says the Jays are primed to win this season.

"Right now, I think we are in a good position, the way we worked on playing this spring," he told reporters.

"Obviously, last year, it was a tough year," he said. "We're working and make adjustments day by day."

Berrios will be caught by Alejandro Kirk, who's set to be the Jays' starting catcher after the departure of Danny Jansen midway through last season. Kirk has struggled at the plate since his 2022 all-star season, but just signed a five-year $58 million (US) contract extension.

"I feel very, very excited about the contract, but my main goal now is just to win," he said, speaking through a translator. That's my mentality: try to be in the playoffs every year."

Vladdy's future with Jays uncertain

But perhaps the biggest story coming into the Jays' season is who didn't extend their contracts.

Shortstop Bo Bichette and slugger Vladimir Guerrero Jr., who's been the face of the franchise since coming into the league in 2019, are both in the final year of their contracts with the Blue Jays.

Through the 2020s, the two players have led a club that has been unable to win when it matters most. This season could be their last chance to prove they have what it takes to not only make the playoffs, but make a deep run.

Whether they resign or are traded before the end of their contracts will be a top concern for Jays fans this year. 

General manager Ross Atkins told reporters he's still hopeful the team can reach a long-term agreement with Guerrero Jr.

"Whether that, you know, happens during the season or via free agency, we'll stay open and never close any doors," he said. 

New faces could lift lineup

Aside from returning stars, the Jays picked up a few new big names in the off season.

Three-time Gold Glover Andres Giminez will add some solid defence at second base, while Anthony Santander, who hit 44 home runs last year for the Orioles team he'll face Thursday, will bring some much-needed power to a Blue Jays lineup that struggled to create offence in 2024. 

On the pitching side, the Jays added three-time Cy Young Award winner Max Scherzer, though the 40-year-old is struggling with a thumb injury and approaching the end of what's sure to be a Hall-of-Fame career. 

The Jays will also have a new closer in Jeff Hoffman after Markham native Jordan Romano signed with Philadelphia after missing most of the 2024 season to injuries. Hoffman, who was originally drafted by the Jays in 2014, finished 2024 with a career best 2.17 earned-run average with 10 saves and 21 holds.

Thursday marks the official opening day for all of Major League Baseball, though the Chicago Cubs and Los Angeles Dodgers technically kicked off the regular season last week, playing the first two official games of the year in Tokyo.