Just a few days remain until the 2024 Major League Baseball season begins. The Toronto Blue Jays, who were eliminated from the playoffs too soon in 2022 and 2023, will come out of the gate this year determined to achieve and surpass their limits.
In the off-season, Toronto added a few players to their squad, but they are essentially spot-fillers who don’t fully address the requirements the team had heading into the winter. The Blue Jays will look on their returning players to ignite their spark and set an example for the team’s newcomers. Some of the open spots in the lineup and defensive alignment will be filled by the new signings.
Although they are new to the Blue Jays, Justin Turner and Isiah Kiner-Falefa are not as new to the surroundings. Turner played with the Boston Red Sox last season, and Kiner-Falefa played for the New York Yankees for the previous few seasons. Both of them have lately participated in the infamous American League East.
Justin Turner will be discussed first. Turner is primarily a seasoned player with 15 years of professional experience, two all-star selections, numerous postseason runs, and World Series appearances under his belt. Although Turner’s signing puzzled Blue Jays supporters a little, it is now obvious that Turner is here for his bat and dependability at the dish. Turner played for nine years in a variety of pennant-chasing situations with the Los Angeles Dodgers, compiling some incredible stats.
![Turner brings 'playoff success and clutchness' to Blue Jays team in need of both](https://i0.wp.com/www.sportsnet.ca/wp-content/uploads/2024/02/6346075502112-1024x576.jpg?resize=768%2C432&ssl=1)
He had a.296 batting average, a.375 on-base percentage, and a.490 slugging percentage throughout those Dodgers seasons. Although recent statistics clearly show otherwise, some may argue that Turner, who is over 40 years old, is not the fit Toronto needs in the lineup. Turner cut his 2023 batting average to.276; his on-base percentage to.345; and his slugging percentage to.455.
He is able to put the bat on the ball and produce quality at-bats by hitting the ball hard.He has a low strikeout rate and can consistently put the ball in play. Last year, he had 23 home runs, 96 RBIs, and 154 hits.
With a 16.5 launch angle and a powerful pull-side swing that equals 37.9% pull, he primarily hits home runs to left field. In Toronto, the wall is shorter, so his slashes will travel farther. According to projections, Turner might see 500–550 plate appearances, 140–150 hits, 88–95 RBIs, and 25 home runs.
Toronto made another dubious signing in Isiah Kiner-Falefa. Toronto spent $15 million on the super-utility player even though he had never had an OPS above.700 in his big-league career, while many other players of a similar caliber ended up singing for far less.
IKF is a seasoned player who can benefit the Blue Jays in a number of ways, despite the contract likely being a little costly. The positional versatility (he can play anywhere on the field) and the base pads’ running game spike were the benefits of this signing. As seen by his 14 bags last year, Kiner-Falefa is a fast runner.
Based on projections, Kiner-Falefa might see 375–450 at-bats, with nine home runs and 48 RBI spread between 122-135 hits. The Blue Jays might use him in the bottom of their lineup before switching to the big hitters at the top, as he is expected to have 18–20 stolen bags.