The Toronto Blue Jays were so close. Just one more win. But in the end, the World Series trophy went to the Los Angeles Dodgers, who won their second consecutive championship. A series full of emotion, back-and-forth, and controversy — and for many Toronto fans, the pain hasn’t subsided.
Especially Game 6.
A situation dubbed a “lodged ball” — a stuck ball — sparked outrage. The Dodgers’ center forward didn’t rush to get the ball, picked it up, and threw it in. But the rules didn’t allow Toronto to capitalize on that moment. “The Blue Jays may have been unfairly treated,” commented Sports Illustrated writer JD Andress. And while no one can say for sure how the outcome would have been different, the feeling that something was stolen was very real.
Before that wound could heal, the offseason began — and Toronto made no secret of their ambition to rectify the situation.
Initially, they believed they were in a good position to recruit Kyle Tucker, the brightest star in the free market. But then, the familiar scenario repeated itself. The Dodgers reappeared. And they won again. Tucker signed a four-year, $240 million contract with Los Angeles, plus an opt-out — a clear message that the empire had no intention of slowing down.
For the Blue Jays, it was the second blow after the World Series.
But the story isn’t over.
Toronto still has money. Still has motivation. And according to many sources, they are still looking for a big enough move to bring themselves back into the championship game. The name being mentioned most often: Framber Valdez.
According to FanSided, if the Blue Jays sign Valdez, their rotation will become one of the most formidable pitching groups in MLB. Just imagine: Valdez, Kevin Gausman, Dylan Cease, Shane Bieber, Trey Yesavage. It’s no longer just “good enough to compete”—it’s a rotation that can go head-to-head with the Dodgers in a seven-game series.
It’s noteworthy that Toronto doesn’t really need Valdez to have a good rotation. They’re already strong. But that’s precisely what makes this trade so dangerous. This isn’t about patching a hole. This is about overwhelming the opponent with depth and quality.
Rotman writes that Toronto is one of the few teams capable and willing to meet Valdez’s high price tag. And after what’s happened—the World Series slipped away, Tucker went to the Dodgers, Bo Bichette left—the Blue Jays’ decision to “go big” with pitching makes perfect sense.
If this trade goes through, the only remaining focus will be health. An ace-filled rotation only works if they’re in the right place at the right time. But if things go smoothly, Toronto won’t be just a “near-champion” team anymore.
They’ll be a team the Dodgers will truly have to watch out for.
Miss Kyle Tucker was a failure.
But turning the World Series heartbreak into a devastating rotation could be the Blue Jays’ answer to the entire league.
The only question remaining is: will Toronto dare to take that final step — and bet everything on a return to the top?
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