“This team is ravenous”: Blue Jays begin spring training with.
The Toronto Blue Jays began training camp on Thursday with a sense of confidence and a conviction that they can compete in the always competitive American League East. They were eager to move on following another swift post-season exit the previous season.
John Schneider, manager of the Blue Jays, said, “This group is hungry.” “Some guys have explicit goals to surpass their accomplishments from the previous year.
“Not ignoring some of the really good things that we did do, but there’s definitely a sense of urgency to do a little bit more than we did last year.”
At the team’s Florida development complex, it was the pitchers’ and catchers’ first official workout day. Position players weren’t required to report in full until early next week, but they were present for training.
Following back-to-back losses in Minnesota, the Blue Jays, who had an 89-win season, were eliminated from the postseason. Toronto was swept in the first round for the third time in the previous four years. In Game 2 at Rogers Centre in 2022, the Seattle Mariners overcame a seven-run deficit to advance. During their two playoff losses at Target Field last year, Toronto was only able to muster one run.
“That’s history now, we need to move on,” right-hander Kevin Gausman of the Blue Jays stated. “The men who have been here the past two years are undoubtedly disappointed about our 0–4 record in the previous two postseasons.
“Getting that first victory is always the aim, and then it’s on from there. Of course, it begins now.”
mostly undamaged roster
With a few notable exceptions, the most of the 2023 lineup is still in place. Free agency claimed the careers of utility player Whit Merrifield, designated hitter Brandon Belt, and third baseman Matt Chapman.
Recently, center fielder Kevin Kiermaier returned on a one-year contract, while veteran slugger Justin Turner joined as a free agency. Yasiel Rodriguez, a right-hander from Cuba, inked a five-year contract, while utilityman Isiah Kiner-Falefa signed a two-year one.
Turner, who led the Boston Red Sox in runs scored and home runs last season with 23 blasts, will probably start the season as a designated hitter.
Blue Jays general manager Ross Atkins stated, “He’s already had an influence and impact on the organization from our interactions with him,” later in the day at an MLB media gathering in neighboring Tampa. “I’m very much looking forward to that being firsthand.”
The team’s defense and starting pitching were last season’s key assets, but Toronto’s offense occasionally faltered. In an effort to get the bats back into shape, Don Mattingly has assumed a more significant role as the offensive coordinator.
Schneider declared, “It’s a really talented group.” “I want to observe how they react to a couple of few adjustments here and there in terms of preparation and strategy. “I think adding a guy like [Turner] into our lineup really speeds that up a little bit too with what he’s done over his career.”
It was a pleasant and windy morning with partly bright sky, and the agenda included meetings and exercise.
“Amazing moment” for Manoah
A simplified After playing catch in the outfield with Chris Bassitt, Alek Manoah threw in the gang mounds area while pitching coach Pete Walker and Schneider watched, looking impressed with the right-hander’s skills.
Originally slated for a Friday media appearance, Manoah had to be shut down in September of last year due to repeated injections in his pitching arm. The 2022 AL Cy Young Award finalist had two demotions to the minor leagues and struggled for the most of the previous season.
Schneider remarked, “He’s been such a good pitcher in this league.” “He’s in an interesting period, and we’re excited to see what he looks like. The preparation and physical conditioning that he underwent to pitch, his approach during the off-season has been quite motivating.”
The Blue Jays’ preseason schedule kicks off on February 24 when they play Philadelphia. Tampa Bay will host the regular-season opener on March 28. “We feel like we are one of those top teams in baseball,” said Gausman. “We’ve just got to go out and do it now.”