DUNEDIN, Fla. — The Toronto Blue Jays were one of the most electrifying teams in Major League Baseball last season. They relied on young, vibrant and dynamic players, from first baseman Vladimir Guerrero Jr. to shortstop Bo Bichette to pitcher Alek Manoah. Seven players hit at least 20 home runs. They had the year’s American League Cy Young Award winner (Robbie Ray) and the runner-up for the Most Valuable Player Award (Guerrero). They won 91 games.
But playing in a tough division, the A.L. East, from which three teams reached October, the Blue Jays fell one game short of the playoffs.