By: Adamo Marinelli
Feb. 19, 2021
The Toronto Blue Jays benefited from the expanded playoff bracket in 2020. It was their first postseason berth in four years. They were swept in two consecutive games by the first seed Tampa Bay Rays but the young, talented team showed a lot of grit playing their home games in Buffalo and a lot of promise for the future.
The Blue Jays meant business in free agency this season. They improved their starting pitching, bullpen, and improved their defense, both in the infield and outfield.
In addition to their young core consisting of Vladimir Guerrero Jr., Hyun-jin Ryu, Bo Bichette, Cavan Biggio, Randall Grichuk, Rowdy Tellez, and Lourdes Gurriel among others, they added superstar George Springer to improve the outfield, they brought in Marcus Semien at shortstop and they brought in Kirby Yates, David Phelps, and Francisco Liriano to help their bullpen, which was their biggest position of need last season.
The Blue Jays have Hyun-jin Ryu as their day-one starting pitcher. He was the Blue Jays’ best pitcher last season and has a lot of talent and a high ceiling entering year two of his four-year deal. Nate Pearson is second on the rotation. He does have a lot of talent but missed time last season due to an injury.
After that, it gets a little shaky. The next spots on the rotation would go to Robbie Ray, who gets a lot of strikes, but walks batters often; Thomas Hatch, who had an impressive rookie campaign last year; and Tanner Roark who struggled mightily last season. Another starting pitcher alongside Ryu and Pearson could go a long way against the talented competition in the AL. The Blue Jays showed interest in both Taijuan Walker and James Paxton, both viable options.
The Blue Jays also improved their bullpen and signed closer Kirby Yates, reliever David Phelps, and reliever Francisco Liriano who they signed to a minor league deal and who has a chance to compete for a roster spot at spring training. These guys will help immediately improve a questionable Blue Jays bullpen consisting of Jordan Romano, A.J Cole, Ross Stripling, etc.
The Blue Jays were not afraid to go big during free agency. Their goal is to become true contenders for a World Series title instead of being a team on the fringes hoping the dominoes fall the right way for them. With all the talent on their roster, the Blue Jays have the potential not only to make the playoffs but to have a deep playoff run.
The Blue Jays’ offense is young and despite having a lot of talent it can be shaky at times. With impact hitters like George Springer - who is a World Series MVP and one of the best players in the MLB - on their roster in addition to the young guys they had the previous season, it could very well be the boost they need to be a top 10, even possibly top 5 offense in the MLB. However, the Blue Jays are a mostly right-handed team - only Biggio and Tellez swing left - and the Blue Jays also have no switch hitters. There is no single solution, no number one players to sign, which reduces the urgency of the Blue Jays to make a move. There are many interesting players available in both free agency and on the trade market, like Brad Miller and Marwin Gonzalez or Colin Moran and Adam Frazier, respectively.
The Blue Jays hope to return to a bit of normalcy this year. Despite starting the season in Dunedin, Florida at their spring training facility, if restrictions loosen, they may be able to play some home games in Toronto, which will be huge for the confidence of this young squad.
The Blue Jays hope their new normal can be a return to the playoffs after missing the postseason for four consecutive years before 2020.
However, it won’t be easy for the Blue Jays. They play in a tough AL East division in a tough AL conference with many skilled teams all battling for a playoff spot.
The Blue Jays’ biggest competition in the AL East is the World Series finalist Tampa Bay Rays. Next, are the New York Yankees and Boston Redsox who had an off-year last season.
It would be difficult for the Blue Jays to win their division. They do have a lot of talent on their roster and if they make a few more moves before the season, it is a strong possibility but I predict the Rays win the AL East. The Blue Jays will give the Rays a run for their money though. The Blue Jays will finish second in the AL East, earning a wildcard spot and both the Yankees and Redsox will finish below the Blue Jays.
I believe the Oakland Athletics will repeat as AL West champions and the Chicago White Sox will claim the AL Central title after being one game back of the Minnesota Twins last season. The Blue Jays will battle the Cleveland Indians in the AL wild-card game and win. They will move on and play the number one seed Rays in the ALDS.
Whether the Blue Jays can beat the Rays is another story, and anything is possible, but that will be an interesting series no matter what.
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