Baseball: What’s going on with the Blue Jays?

The Toronto Blue Jays, despite featuring a lineup filled with offensive stars like Vladimir Guerrero Jr., Bo Bichette, and Anthony Santander, have underwhelmed significantly in one key area: hitting home runs. Coming into the season, fans and analysts alike expected the Blue Jays to be among the league leaders in power hitting. Instead, the team has found itself at the very bottom of Major League Baseball in total home runs—a shocking development considering the firepower they appear to have on paper.

A glaring example of this underperformance occurred during a recent 5–4 loss to the Cleveland Guardians. Toronto failed to hit a single home run in that game, leaving their season total at just 23 long balls. On the same day, the Kansas City Royals—a team not exactly known for a potent lineup—belted seven home runs in one game against the Baltimore Orioles, pushing their total to 25 and overtaking Toronto in the standings. This dropped the Blue Jays to last place in MLB for home runs, a position few could have imagined for a team with such a high-powered reputation.

This trend is not entirely new. The Blue Jays ended the 2023 season with only 156 home runs, which ranked as the fifth-lowest total across the league. While they finished 16th in overall offensive production last year, their lack of home run power was a glaring weakness. It seems that issue has carried over into the new season, despite an upgraded roster and increased payroll. Perhaps this shouldn’t be as surprising as it feels, considering the precedent set last year. However, it remains disappointing given the names in the lineup and the expectations that followed them into 2025.

Much of the scrutiny has naturally fallen on the team’s core stars. Guerrero Jr. recently signed a 14-year, $500 million extension—a deal that reflects his past production and the franchise’s belief in his future. Between 2021 and 2024, Guerrero averaged 34 home runs per season, with a .887 OPS and a 4.6 WAR, making him one of the most consistent power hitters in the game. Santander has also proven his worth, launching 105 home runs over the past three seasons. Bichette, known for his aggressive swing and extra-base potential, has not yet found his rhythm in the home run column this year. Meanwhile, George Springer—though perhaps past his prime—is having a resurgent season, currently batting .322 and tracking toward his best offensive output in a Blue Jays uniform.

Toronto’s payroll, which exceeds $246 million, reflects their win-now approach. With that kind of financial commitment, there’s an expectation of results, especially in a major offensive category like home runs. It’s especially alarming that teams like the White Sox and Pirates—both expected to finish near the bottom of the standings—have outpaced the Blue Jays in home runs so far.

There’s still time for the Blue Jays to reverse course. Baseball is a long season, and a hot streak from just a few players could quickly change the narrative. The team has a day off to regroup before heading into a three-game road series against the Los Angeles Angels, which could provide a chance to reset and reignite their power game. For now, though, Toronto remains a mystery: a team built for slugging but struggling to deliver the long ball.

Reno Silva/MS