Blue Jays’ 2025 Turnaround: From AL East Worst to First

The Toronto Blue Jays are writing one of Major League Baseball’s most remarkable comeback stories. After languishing in last place in 2024, they’re now just weeks away from possibly becoming only the 14th team in the Divisional Era to jump from worst to first in back-to-back seasons.

That’s a rare feat—nobody’s pulled it off since the 2015–16 Boston Red Sox. This turnaround isn’t about flashy signings or blockbuster trades. Instead, the Jays’ homegrown offensive core has sparked a transformation, turning the club from a rebuilding afterthought into a contender that feels genuinely dangerous.

A Rare Climb From Last to First

Jumping from the bottom to the top of the division in just one year is almost unheard of in today’s MLB. The 2024–25 offseason didn’t give Blue Jays fans much to get excited about. Toronto missed out on megastars like Shohei Ohtani, Juan Soto, and Japanese phenom Roki Sasaki.

The players they did manage to sign — like Anthony Santander and Jeff Hoffman — haven’t exactly set the world on fire. Santander struggled, hitting just .179 before a shoulder injury benched him. Hoffman’s 4.50 ERA out of the bullpen hasn’t impressed either.

Offseason Moves That Didn’t Deliver

Toronto’s limited roster changes didn’t look like the makings of a division winner. Even at the 2024 trade deadline, the front office added 14 new faces, but none made an immediate splash.

The True Catalyst: Offensive Explosion

Pitching’s been fine, maybe a bit bland — the rotation sits 22nd in ERA, the bullpen 18th. But the offense? That’s where the magic’s happened. Eight returning hitters have transformed their collective line from a miserable .225/.290/.370 in 2024 to a blistering .283/.341/.465 in 2025.

Stars Stepping Up

Bo Bichette has been right in the middle of the action, bouncing back from a rough, injury-riddled 2024 to hit .298 with 16 homers. George Springer is putting up some of the best numbers of his career.

Youngster Addison Barger has made a huge leap with the bat. Toronto’s offensive revival isn’t just good—it’s historic. They lead all of MLB in year-over-year wOBA increase (+.027).

Since late May, they’ve averaged an MLB-best 5.78 runs per game. That’s changed everything, turning tight games into wins and making up for average pitching.

From Under .500 to Contenders

This run didn’t start right away. On May 28, the Jays sat at 26–28, eight games out in the AL East.

Then, suddenly, something clicked. They ripped off a 43–22 stretch, flipping the standings and grabbing a four-game division lead. Wild, right?

A Shift in Narrative

Not long ago, Toronto fans wondered if a full rebuild was coming. Now, people are talking about a shot at history and a real postseason run. Funny how fast things change in baseball.

Keys to the Blue Jays’ Historic Pursuit

So what’s fueling this crazy leap from last to first?

• Core Player Resurgence: The team’s mainstays are finally hitting again, and it’s contagious.
• Offensive Depth: Veterans and young guys both contribute, making the lineup scary deep.
• Clutch Hitting: They’re coming through in close games, which helps cover for so-so pitching.
• Momentum Shift: That hot streak after May changed the season’s whole vibe.

The Road Ahead

History’s calling, but the Blue Jays have plenty left to prove before clinching their division lead. There’s still work ahead if they want a spot in the postseason.

Everything comes down to these last key series against their divisional rivals. Toronto’s fate will hang on those matchups—could they really become one of MLB’s wildest comeback stories?

If they hang on at the top of the AL East, they’ll do more than just surprise everyone. They’ll crash into a pretty exclusive club of teams who’ve pulled off the fastest, gutsiest climbs in baseball.

And let’s be honest, heading into October with that kind of momentum? That’s how you become a dangerous, battle-tested contender.

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Here is the source article for this story: How Toronto has gone from worst to first