Blue Jays On Deck

2016 Toronto Blue Jays Opening Week Analysation

To wrap it up, the Toronto Blue Jays look to be an even better team than they were last season. They won 93 of 162 games last season, and are predicted to win nearly 110 this year. With all these positions working in harmony this year, it may be possible that the Jays will bring home a World Series title to not just Toronto, but to Canada as well.In October of 2015, the Toronto Blue Jays took the entire country of Canada on an insane roller coaster ride, making their first appearance in the postseason in 22 years a memorable one. But when they were eliminated, they had seen one of the best seasons in Blue Jays history pass them by. A lot has changed since that throw to first base, some good, some bad, but at the end of the day, the Blue Jays still look to be the team to beat, and this will be your guide to what to expect from the Jays this season.

The Starting Pitching Rotation

Most Blue Jays fans were sick to their stomach when it was announced that their ace acquired at the trade deadline, David Price, had signed a deal not only to another team, but one of the Blue Jays’ division rivals, the Boston Red Sox. This 7 year deal was worth a whopping $217M, meaning Price is paid around 69 cents per second. As painful as it was to see a destined ace leave the team, the Blue Jays may look to be better off without him as 24 year old Marcus Stroman, who is scheduled to start Opening Day, looks to have Cy Young (award given to the best pitcher in baseball) potential. After making a wolverine like recovery from a torn ACL last year, a full year of Stroman will be something to watch. Thirty-two year old Marco Estrada, who put on great performances, one after another, the previous year, looks to be starting on the disabled list (injured) on Opening Day due to tightness in his back. Yet, it works out in the Jays’ favour, meaning a spare day in the week, where Estrada will put in his work, becoming able to perform well in the next week or so. Forty-one year old R.A. Dickey, a former Cy Young winner in his own right, should be as deceptive as ever, finally gaining some postseason experience last season. One can only hope that his knuckleball can hold up throughout this season and kick us back to the good old days. Thirty-two year old J.A. Happ, who came back as a Jay after being traded last offseason, looks to be a key 4th man in the rotation. His great stretch in Pittsburgh last year has the Jays hopeful for a good things from Happ this year. Finally, the starting rotations 5th man is Twenty-four year old Aaron Sanchez, who has earned himself the spot by posting a 1.35 earned run average in spring training, making a dominant statement showing he wanted to be in the rotation. Yet, if Sanchez fails to fulfill his role in the rotation, he can be moved to the Bullpen, where Gavin Floyd and Jesse Chavez can replace him, a depth the Jays didn’t have as much of the previous season. Overall, the pitching needs to be good enough in order for the Jays to have a successful season this year.

Bullpen

With the addition of former closer Drew Storen, the Blue Jays’ bullpen seems more intimidating than it was previously, as Storen accompanies Brett Cecil and closer Roberto Osuna in the 1-2-3 combo of the bullpen. As for the others, Gavin Floyd and Jesse Chavez are solid assets with their starting experience, posing more of a challenge towards hitters. The rookie Joe Biagini can surprise hitters with nothing to expect from him. Arnold Leon brings solid stuff, being a temporary replacement for injured lefty Aaron Loup, and newly signed Franklin Morales should bring great stuff and winning experience, having been on the World Series Champion Kansas City Royals team. If the bullpen can perform at an elite level this year, they can play a key role in the Jays’ success.

Offense

As advertised, the Blue Jays’ offense could be one of the best in history, having center fielder Kevin Pillar lead off, bringing contact, speed, and sometimes power up first, which makes the production from former MVP 3rd Baseman Josh Donaldson, Right Fielder Jose Bautista, Designated Hitter Edwin Encarnacion, and Shortstop Troy Tulowitzki all the more powerful. With a combined 137 home runs and 418 runs batted in, there will be a lot to expect from these four. The lineup continues with First Baseman Chris Colabello, who is hoping to take his spectacular season last year into the new one, left fielder Michael Saunders, who looks to have something to prove after missing the majority of games last year with a knee injury, catcher Russell Martin, who looks to produce with more power than last year, and ending off with second baseman Ryan Goins, who’s bat production can only increase as time goes on. first baseman Justin Smoak, utility player Darwin Barney, and outfielder Ezeqiuel Carrera occupy the bench, but it is a great bench to have for an offensive team such as the Jays. With this offense, a lot of goals are possible but they must be consistent to be productive.

Defense

When the Jays acquired shortstop Troy Tulowitzki in a trade with Colorado at the trade deadline last year, defense has become one of the main priorities for the Jays ever since. Tulowitzki, along with Josh Donaldson, Ryan Goins and Chris Colabello, could be considered one of the best infields defensively in the league. While in the outfield, Jose Bautista, Michael Saunders, and Kevin Pillar make great defensive plays on a daily basis. Especially Kevin Pillar, who made catch after catch last year, and was practically robbed of a Golden Glove award, the award given to the best defensive player in each position. Overall, the defense should be just as entertaining to watch as the offense.

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