To understand where the Toronto Blue Jays are heading, let’s first take a deep dive into how they got to this dire situation.
The Major League Baseball season concluded just two weeks ago with a show of utter dominance by the Texas Rangers, who curb-stomped the Arizona Diamondbacks to win their first Word Series title in franchise history. While the majority of MLB fans were apathetic toward a mediocre World Series featuring two Wild Card teams, Blue Jays fans were apoplectic. For one, Rangers have been a fierce rival of the Jays since Jose Bautista’s epic bat flipä during the 2015 ALDS. But if you scan the lineup cards for the Rangers and D-Backs, you’ll find a concerning pattern: former Blue Jays playing major roles on each of the World Series finalists.
It began in the winter of 2020, when Marcus Semien signed a one-year ‘show me’ deal with the Jays. Semien bet on himself and came north of the border to boost his free agency stock after none of his preferred destinations presented themselves as suitors. During the 2021 MLB season, Semien posted career-best numbers in home runs (45), RBI (102), and slugging (0.538). Semien dazzled and earned a spot at the All-Star Game as well as multiple season awards, including the Silver Slugger and Gold Glove honours for AL second basemen, and finished third – one spot behind teammate Vladimir Guerrero Jr. – in AL MVP voting. The middling Jays missed the playoffs, though only by one point, but still they missed. Semien managed to make good on his plan; he packed his bags and immediately signed the biggest deal of his career with the Texas Rangers…ouch.
Fast forward two years: the Jays made the playoffs and appeared to take a page from the Maple Leafs’ playbook — look like the better team going into the first round, blow a huge lead in an elimination game, and get absolutely humiliated in front of the home fans. The Jays’ pitching and infield defence was phenomenal, but the outfield was dropping the ball (literally). In response to this crushing loss, GM Ross Atkins traded away two fan favourites and offensive juggernauts in the outfield, Teoscar Hernández (to Seattle) and Lourdes Gurriel Jr. (to Arizona). Also traded to Arizona was top catching prospect, Gabriel Moreno. While beloved Teoscar was streaky throughout the 2023 season for the Mariners, Lourdes and Moreno shined brightly for the D-Backs, ultimately serving as major contributors on the D-Backs’ path to a World Series appearance…ouch.
Toronto had another crushing loss in the first round this year, and fans longed for their former favourite Blue Jays who led their teams to glory. There was no chance that Semien would have re-signed with the Jays, but the star-power on display on the west coast makes one wonder: did the Jays throw away the pieces that would have led them to greatness? I’d venture to say yes. But can, or should they do to recover?
The obvious answer to the Jays’ woes is to fire Atkins – who has made terrible decision after awful decision – and John Schneider – whose lineup and bullpen decisions have cost the team meaningful wins. But, that has not happened, and won’t happen, according to Jays’ President, Mark Shapiro. What about players? The Jays literally traded offence and supremely good vibes in the dugout for stellar outfield defence and the most inconsequential 20 homer season possible in Daulton Varsho. Now that 2023 centre-field Gold Glove winner Kevin Kiermaier is seeking a new contract in the States, Varsho will likely be moved into centre, leaving a hole in left field. Whit Merrifield can play a solid left field, but he stated he won’t be returning to Toronto next year. The only current Blue Jay under contract in 2024 who can play left field is Cavan Biggio, the ultimate utility player. Biggio showed tremendous improvement in his game in 2023, consistently making highlight reel defensive plays and heating up in the batter’s box late in the season. Biggio in left makes sense from a roster construction perspective, just look at these fielders:
3B – Chapman*— SS – Bichette — 2B – Schneider — 1B – Guerrero Jr.
LF – Biggio — CF – Varsho — RF – Springer
*UFA
If the Jays can convince 2023 Gold Glover Matt Chapman to stay on board, the group of position players for 2024 is jam-packed with offensive talent and defensive stability. To round out the lineup, the Jays need a home run generator in the designated hitter slot.
* Cue voices in the crowd yelling SIGN SHOHEI OHTANI! * If only…but the two-way lefty and unofficial best player ever will likely take his talents elsewhere.
The best fit for the Jays by far is Teoscar Hernández. During a series between the Jays and Mariners in Seattle last season, Teo expressed a strong desire to return to Toronto. A homecoming for Teo makes perfect sense. While his 2023 stats were not as strong as they had been during his Jays tenure, a reunion between Teo and his besties Vladdy and Bo might make magic. Many stats lovers scoff at the term “intangibles” in sports, but athletes are humans. The vibes in Toronto last year were terrible, and the players visibly appeared down and frustrated throughout the summer. Maybe what they need is more chemistry by adding a friend that can bring those intangibles…who also hit over 120 home runs as a Blue Jay.