Why the Toronto Blue Jays May Need to Move On from Alek Manoah
Not long ago, Alek Manoah was viewed as one of the brightest young arms in Major League Baseball, the type of pitcher a franchise could build its rotation around. The Toronto Blue Jays seemed to have unearthed a future ace, someone who could dominate hitters with power, command, and presence on the mound. But as of 2025, that once-bright future has dimmed, and hard questions are being asked about whether the Blue Jays should finally give up on Manoah.
The Peak of His Career
The story of Alek Manoah’s rise to prominence begins in 2022, a season that now looks like both his breakout and his peak. That year, the big right-hander was spectacular. Over 196.2 innings, Manoah compiled a sparkling 2.24 ERA with a 0.992 WHiP. He struck out 180 hitters while walking just 51, displaying a balance of power and control that made him one of the American League’s toughest pitchers to face.
That season earned him a well-deserved trip to the All-Star Game. More impressively, he finished third in AL Cy Young voting, cementing his place among baseball’s elite pitchers. For the Blue Jays, it felt like the beginning of a long run at the top of the rotation. But in hindsight, it may have been the high-water mark of his career.
The Fall Begins in 2023
Things unraveled quickly the following year. Manoah arrived at spring training in 2023 out of shape, and his lack of conditioning was publicly called out by an MLB Network analyst who suggested the pitcher needed to “spend more time in the gym.” The criticism sparked debate and frustration, but unfortunately for Manoah, his performance only seemed to validate the concerns.
Over the course of the season, his numbers collapsed. He posted a 5.87 ERA across 87.1 innings, with his WHiP ballooning to 1.740. Though he still struck out 79 hitters, his control disappeared, as he issued 59 walks. His once-reliable command was gone, and so was his confidence.
Toronto took drastic measures to try to fix him. Manoah was sent down to the Florida Complex League in an attempt to overhaul his mechanics. Later, he was banished to Triple-A for the remainder of the season. It was a stunning fall for a pitcher who, just a year earlier, had been in the Cy Young conversation.
Injuries Compound the Struggles
Unfortunately, things did not improve. Manoah’s 2024 season was plagued by injuries and inconsistency. He appeared in only five games for the Blue Jays before undergoing Tommy John surgery, a procedure that sidelined him for the remainder of the year.
When he finally began rehabbing, hopes were modest but still alive. Fans wanted to believe that maybe, just maybe, he could work his way back to his 2022 form. But his recent rehab outings have been nothing short of disastrous.
In one start, Manoah allowed three runs on three hits and two walks while recording just five outs. His overall rehab numbers were grim: in seven innings spanning four starts, he gave up an 11.57 ERA with a staggering 2.714 WHiP. He struck out only six batters, walked eight, and even hit three. The command issues that plagued him in 2023 had not gone away, and now his stuff lacked the sharpness it once had.
Toronto’s Dilemma
For the Blue Jays, the timing could not be worse. They are locked in a playoff race, eyeing not only a postseason berth but a chance at the AL East crown. Every roster spot matters, and they need pitchers who can contribute immediately.
Manoah, however, has shown no signs of being able to help. Each outing seems to push his 2022 dominance further into the past, making it harder to believe that version of him will ever return. The Blue Jays have tried to remain patient, holding out hope that he can figure things out, but patience has limits—especially for a team with October ambitions.
It raises an uncomfortable but necessary question: should Toronto move on from Alek Manoah?
A Case for Moving On
On one hand, the Blue Jays have invested time, energy, and belief in Manoah. Cutting ties with a former All-Star is not something any organization does lightly. But baseball is a business of results, and the results simply have not been there.
Manoah’s inability to throw strikes consistently, his repeated battles with conditioning, and his injury history combine to paint a troubling picture. Even if he were to return to health, there is no guarantee that his command or his confidence will ever be the same.
Moreover, continuing to hold out hope comes at a cost. Every inning Manoah takes in rehab games is an inning that could be given to a younger pitcher in the system who might actually help the big-league roster in the near future. And every roster spot spent on him is one less resource available for a team in contention.
Sometimes, the hardest decision is also the right one. By parting ways with Manoah, the Blue Jays could free themselves from the cloud of uncertainty that has surrounded him for the last two years. It could also give Manoah a fresh start somewhere else, away from the expectations and memories of 2022 that continue to hang over him in Toronto.
The Human Side
It’s important to remember that Manoah is still just 27 years old. For a pitcher, that’s hardly the end of the line. Many pitchers have struggled, reinvented themselves, and found success later in their careers. If anything, a change of scenery could be what he needs to rediscover his love for the game and rebuild his career.
But for the Blue Jays, sentiment can’t outweigh reality. Their window to compete is now. They have stars like Vladimir Guerrero Jr. and Bo Bichette entering their prime. They can’t afford to wait on the chance that Manoah figures it out.
Conclusion
The story of Alek Manoah is a cautionary tale of how quickly fortunes can change in baseball. From All-Star and Cy Young contender to struggling pitcher searching for answers, his journey has been dramatic and difficult.
The Blue Jays have given him chances, but the time may have come to face the truth: the pitcher who dominated in 2022 may never return. For a team with championship aspirations, the future has to take priority over the past.
As harsh as it sounds, Toronto may need to let go of Alek Manoah—for their sake, and perhaps even for his.
