Today’s computers have impressive ability to measure even the most minute computations. But not even the most accurate calculators could measure the time between a Toronto Blue Jay fan realizing that maybe, just maybe, their team was a contender and the wholesale complaining about how they are blowing the chance of a lifetime to win a third World Series.

It’s true that sometime in late June/ early July the Blue Jays— with key regulars on the injured list— went on a wholly unexpected tear. They won 19 of 24 games, ending with taking three games from MLB’s best team, the Tigers, in Detroit. They didn’t just beat opponents, they pounded them.

At the end of that burst they led the AL East and seemed to have a postseason berth sewn up. Which naturally sent Jays Nation in search of a comfy blanket as the season draws to a close. It’s difficult to assimilate the whiplash effect made by this totally unforeseen burst. Here was our outlook for Toronto back in March:

“While it’s true that the sun can’t shine on the same team every day, Jays fans believe it would be nice if the great orb would find their club as it did back in the 1992/93 World Series days. Instead of the reflected glory of past stars winning for other teams. Patience is thin. And time is ticking.

While the Jays dithered, the price for players like Guerrero and Bichette soared. Using Juan Soto’s Mets $765 M deal as a yardstick Guerrero turned down a Jays offer of just under $600 M, saying he was done talking during the season. If Shapiro/ Atkins had anticipated the market Guerrero would have cost a lot less in 2023-24.

Shortstop Bo Bichette— a gifted player who battled injuries in 2024—is likewise up for a new deal. He has started strong in 2025 and would command a handsome return in a trade. He says the Jays are waiting to see what happens with Guerrero first. Having sold the pair for years to their loyal fans, having to trade them will be a massive PR blow. And while Jays’ national audience can be an advantage, having a whole country pissed with you is devastating.”

Since that was written the Jays did give Guerrero a 14-year, $500 million deal, locking up their star for his baseball life. If that was supposed to inspire the team it was a loser. By May 8 they were 16-20. Newcomer slugger Anthony Santander wasn’t hitting his weight, injuries were wracking the team and manager John Schneider seemed day-to-day.

They then hovered near .500 till the start of June. Even the Jays’ paid broadcast team was having a tough time putting a happy face on ever catching the Yankees for first. In desperation Schneider began giving at-bats to prospects like Addison Barger and Jonatan Clase. Journeymen like Nathan Lukes, Ernie Clement and Davis Schneider also thrived in platoon situations.

Another journeyman Eric Lauer solidified the fourth starter spot while Max Scherzer convalesced. In the bullpen unheralded lefties Brendan Little and Mason Fluharty gave Schneider valuable late-game innings. Catcher Alejandro Kirk, handed a new contract, gave the pitching staff a reliable asset.

In short, the patch job is not only holding it’s made the team stronger. As of this writing the Jays have a 91.9 percent chance of making the postseason, five percent of winning the World Series. Which would create euphoria elsewhere.

Not in Toronto. All this prosperity suddenly created a whirlwind of doubt as Toronto GM Ross Atkins went into the trade-deadline crunch last week. There were big names reportedly on the market as a half-dozen teams scrambled to add reinforcements for the stretch. Eugenio Suarez, Alex Corea, Mason Miller, Jhoan Duran, Ryan Helsley and David Bendar were the baubles of the market.

The Jays got none of them— in part because they don’t have a deep farm system to use for trade bait. They picked up useful bullpen arms in Seranthony Dominguez and Tommy Nance. They rolled the dice on former Cy Young winner Shane Bieber who hasn’t pitched in two seasons. And they picked up versatile Ty France.

But not the big names. Meanwhile the Yankees. Mariners and Astros were overhauling their rosters in anticipation of the AL postseason. Seattle grabbed Suarez, Josh Naylor and Caleb Ferguson. New York recruited three new arms for its bullpen while the Astros obtained superstar SS Corea along with Jesus Sanchez and Ramon Urias.

To further rattle the troops the Jays just lost two of three at home to the KC Royals, the first series lost since losing two of three to the mediocre Chicago White Sox in mid-June. They lead the Yankees by three games with 49 games left, hardly a comfortable margin considering that only a handful of Jays have any postseason experience.

So expect plenty of angst the rest of the way. Because that’s the way it’s done in Toronto’s Panic Park.

Bruce Dowbiggin @dowbboy is the editor of Not The Public Broadcaster A two-time winner of the Gemini Award as Canada's top television sports broadcaster, his new book Deal With It: The Trades That Stunned The NHL And Changed hockey is now available on Amazon. Inexact Science: The Six Most Compelling Draft Years In NHL History, his previous book with his son Evan, was voted the seventh-best professional hockey book of all time by bookauthority.org . His 2004 book Money Players was voted sixth best on the same list, and is available via brucedowbigginbooks.ca.

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