A fascinating change in the team’s identity with new faces
Here are seven more themes worth keeping an eye on over the next six weeks, in addition to the three major questions we previously examined when the Blue Jays reported for camp.
Fresh faces show up to the camp.
With many of the regulars from the previous season returning, the Blue Jays should appear recognizable to most fans. However, a few new faces will be present at camp, including right-hander Yariel Rodriguez and infielders Isiah Kiner-Falefa and Justin Turner.
With a strong glove, Kiner-Falefa is a utility player who will likely play third base the most of the time in Toronto’s infield. Turner, a free agent, is anticipated to be the starting designated hitter. With his stability and expertise, he will take over for Brandon Belt, who played in this capacity last season. Rodriguez is a talented pitcher who has played in Japan and Cuba, starting and relieved. He will provide the Blue Jays with much-needed depth as he attempts to make the major leagues.
Are any spring signings planned?
Great free agents are still available even as camps open in Arizona and Florida. Will the Blue Jays throw caution to the wind and include someone else in the mix?
Both Scott Boras-represented players Cody Bellinger and Matt Chapman are unsigned and might be added to the squad. Though each has a number of unanswered questions regarding his past, present, and future performance, the asking price for each has apparently been high. Should the price come down as the season approaches, might the Blue Jays make a move? Though it seems improbable, Ken Rosenthal of The Athletic recently noted, the Blue Jays are a team that can afford to invest
These Blue Jays—who are they?
The Blue Jays last season set out to reduce mental errors and do the small things well. It was supposed to be the team’s motto, one that was chanted nonstop during the spring. However, the Blue Jays found it difficult to live up to that philosophy in many respects. With the fifth-highest number of outs on the bases (57), including an MLB-high 19 at third base, they were among the poorest baserunning teams in the league.
Nothing more than Vladimir Guerrero Jr.’s pickoff at second base during a pivotal play in Game 2 of the Wild Card Series may have best captured this weakness.
“I believe that when we look each other in the eyes, we can all admit that as a group, we didn’t do as well as we could have. Following the season-ending defeat, manager John Schneider stated, “It’s not for a lack of knowledge or preparation.”
The Blue Jays will definitely need to play a more disciplined style of baseball this season, but it’s unclear what the team will ultimately decide to adopt as its signature look.
Is the rotation going to be as strong as it was last year?
Every MLB manager will tell you that getting every player through spring training healthy is the first priority. Of course, it’s easier said than done, but the Blue Jays have become accustomed to their starting pitchers’ amazing streak of health.
Apart from Hyun Jin Ryu, who began the season on the IL while recovering from Tommy John surgery, none of the Blue Jays starters had time on the injured list in 2017 despite being part of the top three MLB rotation with a collective 3.85 ERA. Yusei Kikuchi, Chris Bassitt, José Berríos, and Kevin Gausman all started in least 31 games and threw over 167 innings of relief.
The excellent health of Toronto is, in part, intentional. The pitchers in the Blue Jays’ rotation were specifically chosen to have proven track records of durability. Even with such knowledge, though, common sense dictates that injuries will inevitably occur and that no team can rely on perfect health.
With Mitch White, Bowden Francis, and Rodriguez as rotation alternatives, the Blue Jays have some beginning pitching depth, unlike the previous two seasons. They will also be greatly depending on Alek Manoah to have a successful resurgence year. However, it’s still worthwhile to consider how big of a setback it would be if any player in their rotation suffered an injury. The rotation’s ability to replicate their outstanding effort from a season ago, when their reliable pitching kept the Blue Jays in games they had no business winning, is another concern.
It’s a strong bunch to bet on because it includes a group of veterans and Manoah, who will be looking to move over his terrible season from the previous year. However, there’s no denying that 2023 will be a difficult act to follow in a number of ways.
Prospects to observe
A number of elite prospects have been invited by the Blue Jays to major league camp. Left-handed pitcher Ricky Tiedemann, who was recently ranked No. 52 on The Athletic’s Keith Law’s top 100 prospects list, is the list’s featured player. Tiedemann will likely open the season in Triple A, but he will fight for a spot in the Blue Jays rotation. If he remains healthy, he might make his Major League Baseball debut in 2024.
In addition to Tiedemann, Orelvis Martinez, Addison Barger, Damiano Palmegiani, Alan Roden, and Connor Cooke are significant possibilities that are worth keeping an eye on in the spring. In particular, Martinez and Barger, who are close to entering the major leagues, might contend for a position on the final roster this spring.
The second act of Davis Schneider
After a brilliant August in which he hit.426/.526/.894 with six home runs in 14 games and kept Toronto in the playoff hunt, Schneider instantly became a fan favorite last season. Even though he slowed down significantly in September, his season-long performance, which included time spent in Triple A, was sufficient to secure him a chance to contend for a roster place.
Schneider, who can also pinch in at left field, seems to be best suited splitting second base duties with Cavan Biggio and Santiago Espinal. In any case, Schneider is expected to start camp as a favorite with the Blue Jays, and fans are excited to see what he can do in his sophomore campaign.
completing the bullpen’s back
The majority of the Blue Jays bullpen, which put together a 3.68 ERA in the previous season, is back. If there are no injuries, Jordan Romano will return to his closer position. Meanwhile, Trevor Richards, Erik Swanson, Yimi García, Chad Green, Trevor Mayza, and Genesis Cabrera are all expected to find employment.
There is now just one spot available, and it can be competitive. It makes sense for White, Francis, and Rodriguez to vie for the position of long man in the bullpen. Nate Pearson may receive a close look if the Blue Jays are seeking extra punch in the back of the pen. Young arms like Hagen Danner, Yosver Zulueta, Hayden Juenger, and Adam Macko are all keen to earn a chance to play in the major leagues.