The Blue Jays’ front-facing upgrades will, understandably, garner most of the attention during spring training. But the team also made a series of behind-the-scenes changes that will have a major bearing on the franchise’s medium-to-long-term trajectory.

Vladimir Guerrero Jr., the homegrown face of the Toronto Blue Jays, is set to become a free agent this fall unless he signs a contract extension. Other question marks hover over the team, which opened spring training on Thursday in Florida.

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The Blue Jays are just 11 days away from their first spring training contest, when they take on the New York Yankees on February 22.

The 25-year-old star has said he won't negotiate beyond the start of spring training, which is February 18 for position players.