Toronto Blue Jays quiet offseason will reap loud benefits
The Toronto Blue Jays offseason has been a quiet one. However; it will be long-term dividends in the future.
After winning the AL East in 2015 and earning a wild card berth in 2016, the Toronto Blue Jays entered 2017 with high hopes. Those hopes were dashed early on as injuries riddled the team. Josh Donaldson (42 days), J.A. Happ (42 days), Troy Tulowitzki (98 days), Aaron Sanchez (150 days), Russell Martin (43 days), and Devon Travis (119 days) all missed significant time. The Jays lack of depth was exposed as Ryan Goins, and Darwin Barney appeared in 143 games and 133 games. Goins .643 OPS and Barney’s .602 OPS were good for bottom 10 in the league, with Barney being the lowest of any player with 350 plate appearances.
While fans have been clamoring for a Josh Donaldson extension and a pursuit of some of the top free agents on the market, GM Ross Atkins has been quite busy adding quality depth to ensure that a repeat of 2017 does not happen again.
For starters, the Jays acquired SS Aledmys Diaz from the Cardinals for prospect J.B. Woodman. Diaz slashed .300/.369/.510 in his rookie year but fell on hard times in 2017 and lost his job to Paul DeJong. Diaz’s struggles are attributed to a 10% increase in swinging at balls out of the zone which led to a softer contact rate and lower BABIP. At only 27 years old, Diaz has plenty of good seasons ahead of him. Additionally, the Jays have a tremendous record of turning jettisoned players into All-Star caliber hitters. Jose Bautista, Edwin Encarnacion, and Justin Smoak are examples of hitters that wore out their welcome with their former teams only to thrive in Toronto.
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Atkins further solidified the infield depth by acquiring Yangervis Solarte from the Padres for prospects Edward Olivares and Jared Carkuff. Solarte is a versatile infielder that hit 18 HR in 2017. With Tulo and Travis expected to start the season up the middle for the Jays, Toronto now has two high upside options to back them up. The likelihood that both will see time out of the lineup is pretty high. Adding two quality MLB starters without giving up the farm is the type of move that builds contenders.
Atkins’ best move though may have been acquiring Randal Grichuk for Dominic Leone and Connor Greene. I am always in favor of turning relievers into young quality bats. Only 26, Grichuk has hit 66 career HR but fell out of favor in St. Louis due to his inability to make consistent contact. Like Diaz, I expect Grichuk to realize his full potential in Toronto. He is capable of hitting 30 HR and has yet to enter his prime.
The signings of free agents Curtis Granderson and Jamie Garcia add veteran leadership. Granderson’s bat still has some thunder in it after belting 26 HR in 2017. Granderson brings experience and leadership that will aid in the development of the Jays young outfielders. Garcia’s signing allows Joe Biagini to return to the bullpen where he thrived in 2016. Additionally, Garcia will provide valuable innings at the back of the rotation while Ryan Borucki and Sean Reid-Foley develop in AAA.
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These moves allow the Toronto Blue Jays to keep their younger players in the minors to develop ensuring they arrive when they are ready and not when they are needed.