You remember that October chill in Toronto. The Rogers Centre was literally shaking. When George Springer hammered that three-run shot in the seventh inning of Game 7 against the Mariners, the 32-year World Series drought didn't just feel like it was ending—it felt like it was being erased. But if you look back at the blue jays alcs roster, that magic didn't happen by accident. It was the result of some of the gutsiest, and frankly, most controversial roster shuffling we’ve seen in years.
People talk about the "Springer Show" or Vladdy’s MVP performance, but the real story is in the names that weren't there, and the veterans who were basically pulled out of cold storage to save the season.
The Pitching Gamble: Bringing Back the Big Guns
Honestly, the mood heading into the ALCS was tense. The Jays had just handled the Yankees in four games during the ALDS, but they did it with a stripped-down rotation. They left Max Scherzer and Chris Bassitt completely off that roster. It felt like a slap in the face to two of the most respected veterans in the room.
But then the ALCS roster dropped.
Suddenly, Scherzer and Bassitt were back. To make it work, the front office had to cut ties—at least for the round—with Justin Bruihl and Tommy Nance. It was a massive risk. Scherzer had been struggling with his command late in the year, and Bassitt was nursing a back that looked like it might give out if he sneezed too hard.
John Schneider and the front office basically bet the season on "old man strength."
The rotation for that seven-game grind against Seattle ended up being a wild mix of the future and the past:
- Kevin Gausman (The dependable ace, even if his postseason ERA hasn't always been pretty)
- Shane Bieber (A savvy pickup who proved he still had that "it" factor)
- Trey Yesavage (The rookie who looked like he didn't have a pulse, he was so calm)
- Max Scherzer (The wildcard)
Bassitt ended up moving into a hybrid relief role. It was weird seeing him come out of the bullpen, but that’s the postseason. You do what you gotta do.
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Why the Blue Jays ALCS Roster Left Bo Bichette Behind
This was the one that hurt. You could see it on the fans' faces at the Dome. Every time the camera panned to the dugout, there was Bo Bichette, hoodie on, cheering, but unable to suit up. That left knee sprain from September just wouldn't clear up in time for the Mariners series.
So, how do you replace one of the best hitting shortstops in baseball?
You don't. You just pivot.
Andrés Giménez stepped into the shortstop hole, and while he didn't have Bo's bat, his defense was basically a vacuum. He saved at least three runs in Game 6 alone. The ripple effect was fascinating to watch. With Giménez at short, Ernie Clement and Isiah Kiner-Falefa had to split time at second and third.
Clement was the unsung hero of the blue jays alcs roster. He went 18-for-42 across the playoffs. He was basically a human contact machine. You've got to wonder if the Jays even make it to the World Series without his ability to put the ball in play when the Mariners' power arms were throwing 101 MPH.
The Outfield Shuffle and the Santander Factor
Anthony Santander was supposed to be the middle-of-the-order thump. And he was, until his back flared up. This forced the Jays to lean heavily on Nathan Lukes and Myles Straw.
Lukes is one of those guys who just feels like a "Toronto" player. Not a superstar, but he grinds. Moving him from right to left field to cover for Santander’s injury was a quiet move that kept the outfield defense elite. Along with Daulton Varsho in center, nothing was falling for hits. Seattle's hitters looked visibly frustrated by the end of Game 4.
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Breaking Down the 26-Man Squad
If you look at the official sheet submitted to the league office before Game 1 on October 12, 2025, it was a perfectly split 13/13 balance.
The Arms
The bullpen was where the games were won. Jeff Hoffman was throwing absolute gas, finishing the year with a sub-1.00 ERA. Then you had the "variety pack" of Seranthony Domínguez, Braydon Fisher, and the side-arming Tyler Rogers. Imagine being a hitter and seeing Hoffman's 99 MPH heater followed by Rogers' submarine delivery that looks like it’s coming from the dirt. It's mean. It's also effective.
The Bats
Alejandro Kirk and Tyler Heineman handled the catching. Kirk’s framing was elite—he ranked top two in the majors for a reason. In the dirt? Blocked. On the corner? Framed.
The infield was anchored by Vladimir Guerrero Jr. He didn't just play; he dominated. His 1.440 OPS in the postseason is the kind of stuff you tell your grandkids about. Beside him, you had the "glue guys": Addison Barger, Clement, Giménez, and Kiner-Falefa.
The outfield depth was the insurance policy:
- George Springer (DH/OF)
- Daulton Varsho
- Anthony Santander (until the back injury)
- Nathan Lukes
- Myles Straw
- Davis Schneider
What Most People Get Wrong About the 2025 ALCS
There’s this narrative that the Jays "lucked out" because Seattle’s rotation was tired after their series with Detroit. That’s a bit of a reach. The Mariners still had George Kirby and Logan Gilbert.
The real reason the blue jays alcs roster worked was the flexibility.
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Usually, when a star like Bo Bichette goes down, a team collapses. But the 2025 Blue Jays were built with "positionless" depth. Ernie Clement playing three different spots wasn't a desperation move; it was the plan. It allowed the team to survive injuries to Bichette and Santander without losing their identity.
Also, can we talk about Max Scherzer? People said he was washed. He wasn't the "Mad Max" of 2019, but his presence in the clubhouse for that specific series was huge. He didn't need to throw a shutout; he just needed to keep them in the game and show the younger guys like Yesavage how to handle the pressure.
Looking Ahead: The 2026 Roster Evolution
As we sit here in early 2026, the roster is already changing. The Blue Jays have been aggressive this offseason. They've already signed Dylan Cease and Cody Ponce to bolster the rotation. They even brought in Kazuma Okamoto on a massive $60 million deal to play third base.
But the 2025 ALCS remains the blueprint. It showed that while stars like Vladdy win MVPs, the roster construction—the 24th, 25th, and 26th men—wins pennants.
If you're tracking the Blue Jays this season, keep an eye on how they handle the "veteran vs. prospect" balance. With guys like Ricky Tiedemann and Trey Yesavage pushing for permanent rotation spots, the front office has some tough calls to make regarding José Berríos, who seems a bit unhappy with his fluctuating role.
Actionable Insights for Fans and Analysts:
- Watch the DH Rotation: With Springer getting older, his time as a full-time outfielder is ending. Expect the 2026 roster to use the DH spot to keep bats like Okamoto and Vladdy fresh.
- Middle Infield Battles: With Bo Bichette back and healthy for 2026, the "Clement vs. Giménez" dynamic changes. They are high-value trade chips or elite bench depth.
- The Yesavage Era: Trey Yesavage is no longer a "rookie to watch." After his ALCS performance, he's a core pillar. Don't be surprised if he's the Game 1 starter by the next postseason.
The 2025 ALCS was a rollercoaster. It was stressful, it was loud, and it was brilliant. But more than anything, it was a masterclass in how to build a 26-man roster that doesn't break when the pressure gets turned up to ten.