Dodgers have every reason to fear Blue Jays ruining three-peat bid after Okamoto move

As thrilling as Games 6 and 7 of the 2025 World Series were, it was impossible for Dodgers fans not to feel at least a little bit bad for all of the Blue Jays fans in attendance, who watched their team get so close so many times, only to lose by the most painful of hairs. In a lot of ways, Toronto looked like the more perfect team not just during the Fall Classic but throughout the entire postseason — they just couldn't get it done when it mattered.

But Toronto's approach to the offseason has painted them as a team that is fully focused on not letting it happen again. They added Dylan Cease, a longtime white whale for the Dodgers, Tyler Rogers, Cody Ponce, and now Kazuma Okamoto on a four-year, $60 million deal.

It might take them out of the running for Alex Bregman, who they were reportedly heavily in on before they got Okamoto, but there's still a chance they sign Kyle Tucker. If that happens, no one in the AL East looks like they'll stand a chance against them, and the Dodgers may not either, if they run it all back this upcoming postseason.

Dodgers-Blue Jays World Series Part 2 seems almost etched in stone after Kazuma Okamoto signing

The Blue Jays' bullpen, an overlooked weakness during their dominant postseason run, probably still needs some work, but adding Rogers is a huge plus, and no doubt Toronto is betting on a bounce back season for closer Jeff Hoffman (though Blue Jays fans might have only a tiny bit more hope for him than Dodgers fans do for Tanner Scott).

Even if they don't get Bo Bichette back, they still have Vladimir Guerrero Jr., George Springer, and now Okamoto. And if Ernie Clement, Addison Barger, and Daulton Varsho can carry their miraculous postseason performances into 2026? That's over half a lineup to be very, very afraid of. And if they get Tucker? Woof. And then, if we factor in a rotation made up of three former Cy Young candidates (and one winner) and a probable 2026 Rookie of the Year finalist? Huge yikes.

The Dodgers won't have to worry about the Blue Jays at all until well into October, and both will have to get through a gauntlet of other competitors that they might not even survive, but the Blue Jays are setting themselves up to look like the easy favorites to be next year's AL champions in the exact same way the Dodgers do for the NL.