Toronto Blue Jays: Three most important additions to roster
The Toronto Blue Jays made several moves in their quest to be a contender in 2020. Which of these moves will make the biggest difference?
One could have understood if the Toronto Blue Jays essentially waited on the sidelines in free agency this past offseason. While they have an exciting young lineup, their top pitching prospects are still a year or two away from contributing at the major league level. Even though the Blue Jays would eventually need to spend to supplement their youthful core, the 2019-20 offseason may not have been that time.
Instead, the Blue Jays saw an opportunity. The Red Sox not only sat out virtually the entire offseason, but they also traded away their best player in a quest to get under the luxury tax. The Yankees may have made a major splash in signing Gerrit Cole, but they battled a ridiculous amount of injuries last year. The Rays made several cost cutting moves themselves, as is the case seemingly every offseason. There may be an opportunity to strike.
Given the landscape of the AL East, the Blue Jays made several moves. They drastically upgraded their rotation and improved the depth on their roster. First base may not be the weak link in their young infield and longer, as Rowdy Tellez will have competition for his spot in the lineup. The bullpen, bolstered with minor league signings, could be far better than it was last year.
The Toronto Blue Jays have hope for the 2020 season and beyond. Let’s take a look at their most important additions to the roster.
Hyun-Jin Ryu
As the Toronto Blue Jays were looking to work their way back to contention, they needed to find a possible top of the rotation starter. They found that pitcher with Hyun-Jin Ryu.
Ryu times his foray into free agency perfectly. He posted a 14-5 record, with a league leading 2.34 ERA and a 1.007 WHiP. In his 182.2 innings, Ryu struck out 163 batters with 24 walks. That production was certainly well worth the four year, $80 million contract he secured from the Blue Jays.
However, there are plenty of question marks surrounding Ryu. Last year was the first time that he made at least 25 starts since 2014. He has surpassed the 160 inning mark just twice in the majors, as he has dealt with a myriad of injuries. Given his history, that contract could easily be an albatross for the Blue Jays.
Yet, it was a move they needed to make. When healthy, Ryu has established himself as one of the better pitchers in the game. If the Blue Jays are going to sell hope for the future, and the idea that they will spend to supplement their youthful core, they need to bring in pieces that can help. Ryu is exactly that.
Hyun-Jin Ryu is set to take over as the Toronto Blue Jays ace. His health will go a long way towards their hopes in 2020 and beyond.
Matt Shoemaker
Yes, the Toronto Blue Jays had Matt Shoemaker in 2019. However, they brought him back after his season was cut short, which could bode well for their rotation.
When Shoemaker did take the mound for Toronto, he was impressive. Over his 28.2 innings, Shoemaker posted a 1.57 ERA and a 0.872 WHiP, striking out 24 batters with nine walks. While no one expects Shoemaker to be that pitcher in 2020, he does have a career 3.81 ERA and a 1.187 WHiP, giving the Blue Jays plenty of potential upside for their $4.2 million investment.
However, there are plenty of questions surrounding Shoemaker. As was the case with Ryu, his health is a major question mark. Shoemaker has just one season where he has made over 25 starts, and has not even had 20 appearances since 2016. In 2017 and 2018, Shoemaker was shut down due to forearm issues, and he tore his ACL in 2019.
As it stands, Shoemaker is a major wild card for the Blue Jays. He is currently slotted in as their fourth starter, but may have more upside than any back of the rotation arm in the division. If he can remain healthy, Shoemaker is a potential top of the rotation arm, perfectly slotting in behind Ryu in Toronto’s rotation.
But just like with Ryu, that is a big if. At least, if Matt Shoemaker has another injury plagued season, the Toronto Blue Jays did not break the bank to bring him back.
Travis Shaw
In theory, the Toronto Blue Jays filled an important reserve spot with Travis Shaw, but he could easily be more than that.
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As it currently stands, Shaw is expected to see his plate appearances as the backup at the corner infield spots and as the Blue Jays occasional designated hitter. He can also play second if needed, holding his own over 41 appearances at the keystone in the majors. Shaw, somewhat surprisingly, does hit the super utility mold.
It is also entirely possible that Shaw winds up as the starting first baseman for the Blue Jays. Rowdy Tellez did not exactly impress during his rookie campaign, hitting 21 homers while producing a disappointing .227/.293/.449 batting line. To be fair, Shaw also struggled in 2019, with his .157/.281/.270 batting line over 270 plate appearances earning him a trip to the minors.
However, Shaw has had success in the majors. Prior to last year, he looked like a building block for the Brewers, a power hitting infielder with a solid eye at the plate. Instead, the Brewers cut Shaw loose after his dismal performance last year, ironically replacing him with former Blue Jays starting first baseman Justin Smoak.
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If Travis Shaw can get back to the form he showed in 2017 and 2018, he would be a bargain for the Toronto Blue Jays. A comeback season would go a long way towards the Blue Jays hopes of contention.