Ross Atkins' offseason has to start with a proven bat, and Seiya Suzuki is the cleanest fit for a Blue Jays lineup that finished last in runs.

The offence also finished last in home runs and RBIs. A slump that wide doesn't get fixed by waiting on the same group to bounce back.

Atkins has already shouldered the blame publicly. Last winter he was aggressive, adding Dylan Cease, Tyler Rogers and Kazuma Okamoto, and the club still finished below .500.

Vladimir Guerrero Jr.'s collapse drove much of that. His laser eye surgery can't hurt, but it's hardly a plan.

Then there's the DH hole. George Springer is likely done, and his at-bats have to go somewhere.

That's where Suzuki comes in. He'd add a proven bat and outfield depth, and he reached a milestone this summer with career homer No. 100.

The clip shows him unloading on a pitch for that 100th career home run on July 1.

Steven Okert and Brandon Lowe round out the shopping list

If that bat isn't available, Brandon Lowe is. He could slide in at second base and push a struggling Ernie Clement aside.

Cease, Trey Yesavage, José Soriano and Cody Ponce figure to lead the rotation once healthy. But 2026 proved there's no such thing as too much pitching.

Some want Kevin Gausman and Shane Bieber back for depth. Bieber makes sense on a short deal, but a Gausman reunion is still the wrong way to spend.

The bullpen was one of baseball's best down the stretch. A low-cost veteran like Okert, who posted a 2.13 ERA in 68 appearances for the Astros, would help keep it that way.

Why spend on relief when the bullpen already worked? Because Mason Fluharty led the majors in appearances, and the arms that carried 2026 can't do it again without help.

Building this roster is like packing for a long road trip. Fix the engine first, grab the snacks second, and never leave without a spare tire.

A proven bat, rotation depth and a high-leverage arm would make this winter a success. Miss on the first one, and nothing else on the list will matter much by June.