After a disappointing 74-88 season, the Toronto Blue Jays face a long road back to postseason contention, and Ross Atkins’ job could be on the line if they don’t make significant improvements.

With that urgency in mind, the Blue Jays are pursuing a major acquisition, hoping to land top free agent Juan Soto. While it may seem unlikely, the Jays have the financial resources — as evidenced by their pursuit of Shohei Ohtani last offseason — and money could make a difference.

Signing Soto would instantly boost an offense that struggled outside of Vladimir Guerrero Jr., creating one of the most fearsome duos in baseball. Given their ages, Guerrero and Soto could dominate the AL East for years to come.

However, Soto’s primary concern is winning, and while the Jays have money, they’re not exactly in a strong position to contend. Their underwhelming 2024 record speaks volumes, and even if Soto joins forces with Guerrero, the first baseman’s future with the team is uncertain, as he’s only under contract through 2025.

For Atkins to land Soto, he’ll need to offer a huge financial package while also convincing him that the Blue Jays can contend. Improving the bullpen, which was the team’s weakest link last season, would be a crucial step in making that case. However, Atkins’ first major move this offseason hasn’t addressed the bullpen — in fact, it may have made things worse.

The Blue Jays’ decision to non-tender Jordan Romano only increases the difficulty of landing Juan Soto. Romano’s rough 2024 season — marked by a 6.59 ERA and limited to just 15 appearances due to elbow issues — made his $8 million arbitration salary a tough pill to swallow. While it’s understandable given his injury history and underperformance, the move leaves Toronto with even more bullpen uncertainty.

Romano’s departure significantly weakens an already struggling bullpen. In 2024, the Jays ranked 29th in MLB with a 4.82 bullpen ERA and had the worst bullpen fWAR in the league at -2.5. Even with solid performances from relievers like Yimi Garcia, the bullpen was a glaring issue. Now, with Romano out, the only reliable arms left are Chad Green and a handful of question marks, with Eric Swanson needing a rebound after a disappointing year.

While Romano had a forgettable 2024, he was a top-tier reliever for four years prior, posting a 2.29 ERA and accumulating 97 saves, third in the AL. The Jays’ decision to part ways with him after just one bad season is a tough blow to their bullpen rebuild.

The non-tender not only complicates the Jays’ efforts to improve their weakest area, but it also makes it harder to attract a star like Soto. Even with a big contract offer, Soto would likely be hesitant to sign with a team that’s not only in turmoil but also has an even weaker bullpen. Add to that the lack of exciting prospects in the pipeline, and Toronto’s chances of convincing Soto to join their ranks look slimmer than ever.