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Toronto Blue Jays 2016 Season in Review

By Tim Haberin

Oct 15, 2016; Cleveland, OH, USA; Toronto Blue Jays third baseman Josh Donaldson (20) hits an RBI double against the Cleveland Indians during the third inning of game two of the 2016 ALCS playoff baseball series at Progressive Field. Mandatory Credit: Charles LeClaire-USA TODAY Sports
Oct 15, 2016; Cleveland, OH, USA; Toronto Blue Jays third baseman Josh Donaldson (20) hits an RBI double against the Cleveland Indians during the third inning of game two of the 2016 ALCS playoff baseball series at Progressive Field. Mandatory Credit: Charles LeClaire-USA TODAY Sports /
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John Rieger-USA TODAY Sports
John Rieger-USA TODAY Sports /

What Went Right?

Last year’s Toronto Blue Jays developed a reputation as an offensive juggernaut whose power-hitting ways more than made up for any deficiencies in their pitching staff. Many thought that with the departure of David Price, the team would be under even more pressure to put enough runs on the board, but that more or less proved untrue.

After their starters posted a 12th-ranked 3.96 ERA in 2015, the Jays rotation moved all the way up to fourth place this year with a 3.64 mark. A surprisingly great year from J.A. Happ and a breakout effort from 24-year-old Aaron Sanchez had a lot to do with that.

Happ turned in arguably the best performance of his 10-year big league career, winning 20 games to the tune of a 3.18 ERA, 1.17 WHIP and 2.72 K/BB ratio. He made the three-year, $36 million contract the Jays gave him last offseason look like a sound investment. Though he underwent some innings management later in the year, Sanchez took the mound 30 times and was impressive as well, notching 15 victories of his own while twirling a 3.00 ERA and 1.17 WHIP.

Marco Estrada rounded out a very solid top three, putting up a 3.48 ERA and 1.12 WHIP while striking out 8.4 batters per nine. Midseason acquisition Francisco Liriano also did well down the stretch, managing a 2.92 ERA in 10 outings.

The improvement out of the starting rotation meant the offense didn’t have to be quite as supercharged. Which was good, because they weren’t. The Jays remained one of the more productive lineups in baseball, ranking ninth in both runs scored (759) and OPS (.755), and fourth in home runs (221). That’s a noticeable slide from 2015, when they led all teams in runs (891), home runs (232) and OPS (.797).

However, there were still plenty of weapons up and down the batting order. Reigning AL MVP Josh Donaldson followed up with another award-caliber season, slashing .284/.404/.549 with 37 homers and 99 RBI. The ever-reliable Edwin Encarnacion generated a .263/.357/.529 line while leading the AL with 127 RBI and tying his career-high with 42 long balls.

Though he fell off a cliff in the second half, Michael Saunders enjoyed a surprisingly solid season overall, batting .253/.338/.478 with 24 home runs and 57 RBI. The Canada native earned his first ever All-Star nod for his work before the break.

Over in the bullpen, closer Roberto Osuna remained one of the most formidable young relievers in the game. He racked up 36 saves with a 2.68 ERA, 0.93 WHIP and 5.86 K/BB. And he’s still just 21 years old.

Next: The Bad

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