Are the Toronto Blue Jays Living Up to Expectations? A Midseason Review After 83 Games…..
As the Toronto Blue Jays pass the 83-game mark of the 2025 MLB season, fans, analysts, and insiders alike are asking a pressing question: Are we happy with the product the team has put on the field?
The answer, like much about this year’s Blue Jays, is complicated.
A Season of Inconsistencies
The Blue Jays entered the season with high expectations. With a roster boasting stars like Vladimir Guerrero Jr., Bo Bichette, George Springer, and a pitching staff led by Kevin Gausman and José Berríos, hopes were high for a serious playoff push. But halfway through the season, the results have been inconsistent at best.
Currently hovering around the .500 mark, Toronto finds itself outside the top tier of American League contenders. They’ve had flashes of brilliance — including a sweep of the Yankees earlier in June and a thrilling walk-off win against the Astros — but those moments have often been followed by disappointing losses to weaker opponents.
Offense: Power Outage
Perhaps the most glaring concern has been the offense. While Guerrero Jr. and Bichette have had solid stretches, neither has consistently carried the lineup. The Blue Jays rank near the middle of the league in most major offensive categories — a surprising stat for a team expected to slug its way through the American League East.
George Springer, once a reliable spark at the top of the lineup, has struggled to maintain consistency at the plate. Alejandro Kirk and Daulton Varsho have shown some pop, but overall, the lineup lacks the depth and power it had in prior seasons. Injuries and slumps have also taken their toll, and manager John Schneider has had to shuffle the batting order multiple times to find the right combination.
Pitching: A Mixed Bag
The pitching staff has offered a more positive outlook. Kevin Gausman continues to anchor the rotation with dominant outings, and José Berríos has rebounded well from his early-season struggles. Chris Bassitt has been a dependable presence, while Yusei Kikuchi has had moments of brilliance mixed with occasional shakiness.
The bullpen, however, has been a point of frustration. Jordan Romano’s early injury left a hole at the back end, and while Erik Swanson and Yimi García have stepped up at times, the late-inning reliability that characterized previous seasons just hasn’t been there.
Defense and Fundamentals
Defensively, the Jays remain one of the more athletic teams in baseball. Varsho and Kevin Kiermaier have provided solid outfield defense, and Matt Chapman continues to be a gold glove-caliber third baseman. But mental mistakes and baserunning blunders have cost the team valuable runs and close games — a sign that focus and preparation may not be where they need to be.
Fan Sentiment: Growing Frustration
Attendance at Rogers Centre remains strong, and the fans have shown their support. But there’s a growing undercurrent of frustration among the fanbase. After years of being told that this team is built to contend, hovering around mediocrity doesn’t sit well with a loyal and passionate fan base. Many are beginning to question whether the current core can truly compete with the best of the AL, or whether a shake-up is needed.
Looking Ahead
With the trade deadline looming, the Blue Jays’ front office has some difficult decisions to make. Do they add another bat to spark the offense? Can they shore up the bullpen with a reliable late-inning arm? Or do they consider selling off assets if the team continues to tread water?
The next month will be crucial in determining the trajectory of this team — both for 2025 and the years ahead.
So, are we happy with the product the Blue Jays have put on the field after 83 games? The answer, for now, is no — not completely. The potential is there, but in a season where fans expected growth and dominance, what they’ve seen so far is a team struggling to find its identity.
With 79 games left, there’s still time to turn things around — but that clock is ticking.