The Toronto Blue Jays prepped for the new season, with one goal ahead of them: return to the World Series. Last season, a $150M veteran played a key role in making the Blue Jays a World Series contender for the first time since 1993. Alongside Vladimir Guerrero Jr., Trey Yesavage, Ernie Clement, and other World Series heroes, Toronto fans are also looking for a repeat performance from the veteran. However, speculations have arisen about whether he can still bring the same heat he brought on the opposing pitchers last season.

The ALCS win against the Seattle Mariners booked the Blue Jays’ ticket to the World Series, and George Springer played the pivotal role. Taking to the field for Toronto as a DH, Springer hit the go-ahead three-run homer in Game 7 while battling an injured knee. Last season, Springer was a postseason hero for the Blue Jays. Though John Schneider would like a repeat performance, The Athletic provided a reality check on the possibility of Springer producing the same at 36-years-old.

“I do wonder if the team can bank on a similar output from George Springer,” wrote Andy McCullough of The Athletic. “He rode some good batted-ball luck to a career-high .309 batting average, but the numbers were not a fluke.”

Springer’s age-35 campaign in the last season was one of his most productive ones since 2019. His WAR read 4.8 while the outfielder posted a career best 162 OPS+ batting at .309.

The Blue Jays had signed Springer on a six-year, $150 million deal in January 2021. His contract runs through 2026, and this season can be his last chance to win a ring with them.

Ranking in the 94th percentile for barrel rate, the 96th percentile for launch angle sweet-spot, the 97th percentile for xBA, and the 99th percentile for xwOBA, the underlying metrics prove George Springer’s 2025 season was no fluke. He belongs in the elite hitter category.

Yet, the age factor cannot be ignored. He would turn 37 in September this year. Achieving the same feat in back-to-back seasons is physically not the same as doing it in his 20s. McCullough also wondered the same.

McCullough stated, “But there is a difference between doing that at 25 and doing that at 35. It’s hard to know if 2025 was Springer’s gateway to a late-career renaissance, or the last gasp of greatness from one of the most accomplished hitters of this era.”

In the new season, the veteran has made a slow start recovering from his postseason injuries, including right-side discomfort and right knee contusion. His right-side injury in Game 3 of the World Series forced him to miss Games 4 and 5 of the championship. Previously, he had missed playing time due to a forearm injury, ankle sprain, and left oblique strain, among others.

Early action in 2026 saw Springer hitting 2 homers and 3 RBIs in his 26 at-bats. The Athletic predicted that if not a repeat of his last season, Springer will likely record 115-125 OPS+, considering he remains healthy.

As per The Athletic, “Up until 2023, Springer had remained a strong hitter, one dogged more by injury than ineffectiveness. So, if he can avoid major physical calamity, I think it is reasonable he settles somewhere closer to his career norms, around a 115-125 OPS+.”

For now, we will see how the Springer situation evolves as the season progresses. Meanwhile, the Blue Jays will once again face the Dodgers this month, and one of their pitchers has a message for Toronto.

Justin Wrobleski speaks about facing the Blue Jays

For the first time after their World Series heartbreak, the Toronto Blue Jays will once again face the Dodgers. That too, on their home ground at the Rogers Centre. Before the April matchup, Justin Wrobleski spoke to SportsNet LA about the face-off.

Wrobleski said that he is excited about the series and ready to face any boos that might come from the Toronto fans.

“It’s gonna be great. They’re going to boo me, and it’s going to be really awesome. But that’s what makes sports great, I think,” Wrobleski stated. “If you pull for a team, and if I were a Toronto fan, I probably wouldn’t like me either. So I completely understand. But yeah, it’s cool, what’s cool about sports is the passion that the fans have.”

Wrobleski proved to be one of the key bullpen arms for the Dodgers in the World Series. He threw four scoreless innings across three games, including a shutout seventh inning of Game 6. He also pitched in Game 7.

Ultimately, it’s up to the Blue Jays on how they perform against their current nemesis.