Toronto Blue Jays admit clubhouse drama held them back last season
A better vibe in the clubhouse could lead to a much better season for the Toronto Blue Jays.
The Jays are looking to bounce back after a rather disastrous 2024 season in which they finished dead last in the AL-East with a 74-88 record. It was a major step in the wrong direction for a team most felt would get into the playoffs, though we are starting to learn what may have caused those struggles.
While their disappointing season could largely be attributed to onfield play that included struggles at the dish with their entire pitching staff, the bigger issue may have been some tension in the clubhouse. Nobody from the team has suggested what the exact issue was, though there have been a few who’ve suggested things are much better from a culture perspective this time around.
“Last year, we had a few things that didn’t let us be out there with confidence and happy,” Jose Berrios said today during a media availability. “We have already worked on that and talked about that. Our relationship with the coaches is better.”
Again, without hinting about the specific issues that occurred last season, manager John Schneider also told reporters that everyone in the clubhouse, from managers to players, is on the same page this year.
#BlueJays manager John Schneider:
“There’s always pressure. There’s always expectations. I think that rather than running from that, you lean into it a little bit.”
He agrees that the clubhouse is better this season with everyone on the same page, from coaches to players.
— Keegan Matheson (@KeeganMatheson) March 26, 2025
This isn’t the first time a Blue Jays player has hinted at some frustration and disconnect within the clubhouse last season. First baseman Vladimir Guerrero Jr. was open about the fact that he feels internal issues played a huge part in his team’s struggles.
“We have to get better in the clubhouse,” Guerrero Jr. said. “I can say we’re way different than last year. I can see in spring training, everybody’s together, everybody talks, everybody’s doing [their] work, preparation, every time. To me, the kids [are] better in the clubhouse, and I think we’re better this year than last year.”
Though many Blue Jays fans are going into the season with relatively low expectations, it seems as though the players in the clubhouse are confident that they can get back to their winning ways in 2025.