5 things the Blue Jays need to consider after disappointing season

A late-season Blue Jays news release in 2023 trumpeted the team's push to the post-season and release of playoff ticket info ahead of the final homestand.

The main hook of this year's offering was instead promotional in nature. It focused on the possibility of fans breaking a stadium record for most one-dollar hotdogs consumed in a season.

What a difference a year makes.

The Blue Jays, who made the playoffs in three of the last four years, have been under the .500 mark since April 30 and are a good bet to finish last in the American League East.

As the club closes out the season with a weeklong homestand, here's a look at five talking points.

The long-term plan for infielders Vladimir Guerrero Jr. and Bo Bichette has been a hot topic since the homegrown talents emerged as star players in the major leagues.

That won't change entering an off-season loaded with challenges for general manager Ross Atkins.

Guerrero and Bichette are scheduled to become unrestricted free agents after the 2025 campaign. The future plans of the franchise will become much clearer if they put pen to paper on contract extensions.

Guerrero has rediscovered the form that saw him finish second in American League MVP voting in 2021. Bichette, who led the AL in hits in '21 and '22, struggled through an injury-plagued year.

A bullpen that had a variety of weapons last year was gutted this season due to trades, injuries and underperformance.

It's arguably the biggest area of need as the Blue Jays look to return to contention next season.

Closer Jordan Romano is coming off elbow surgery, Yimi Garcia was traded, Erik Swanson had a stint in the minors and Tim Mayza's long run in Toronto ended when he was designated for assignment.

Chad Green and Genesis