Schneider says Jays plan to contend in '25: We're not 'totally rebuilding'

The Toronto Blue Jays have officially punted on 2024, but manager John Schneider is already eyeing a return to form for his club next season.

After the team traded multiple stars at the deadline, Schneider said Friday that he sat down with what remains of the Blue Jays' veteran corps and made it clear that the organization will compete for a championship in 2025.

"We are not a totally rebuilding team right now," Schneider told reporters, per Sportsnet's Hazel Mae.

Toronto's been one of MLB's most disappointing teams after entering the season with expectations of finally breaking through in October. Instead, a slow and inconsistent start all but doomed the team's playoff hopes by July, and relegated it to the role of seller at the deadline. The Jays traded away eight veteran players, most of whom were on expiring contracts, in exchange for 13 prospects.

Their core, however, remained intact after the deadline. Despite rumors about the futures of cornerstone players Vladimir Guerrero Jr. and Bo Bichette - who will both become free agents at the end of the 2025 campaign and have yet to sign extensions - both are still Blue Jays. Veteran starters Kevin Gausman, Chris Bassitt, and José Berríos also remain with the club, as does former World Series MVP George Springer.

General manager Ross Atkins issued an apology to fans after the deadline, stating it was "unacceptable" that they ended up as sellers.

Schneider will enter the final guaranteed season of his contract with the Blue Jays next year. He led the team to playoff berths in his first two years at the helm but was bounced in the wild-card round on both occasions.