After scanning the Blue Jays’ roster and assessing the scope of their major league and minor league rosters, I went into this project with the mindset that this team was not far away from being serious contenders next season. Last year, the Blue Jays’ weak spot was their bullpen which was 25th in MLB with a 4.09 ERA. Sergio Santos and Casey Janssen were not re-signed thus sparking a new direction in the bullpen. The starting rotation, led by R.A. Dickey and Mark Buehrle, was inconsistent but for the most part productive. As a result of strong seasons from young talent like Drew Hutchinson and Marcus Stroman at the back of the rotation, I focused on upgrading the bullpen with the hopes of building a stronger pitching arsenal as a whole.
The offense finished in the top five in the American League in R, HR, BA, OBP, and SLG. Jose Bautista, Edwin Encarnacion, and Jose Reyes form a solid nucleus to go along with a strong supporting cast. Although I was given a high spending cap of $146 million, the contracts of Bautista, Encarnacion, and Dioner Navarro seem like a bargain considering their output. Melky Cabrera, another big part of the 2014 offense, became an unrestricted free agent and re-signing him seemed like an option worth making a priority. Brett Lawrie was returning from injury to become the everyday third basemen and the low-cost options of J.A. Happ and Adam Lind were picked up to maximize the rotation and lineup relatively cheap. Brandon Morrow’s ten million dollar option seemed like a no-brainer to refuse due to arm troubles and the resurgence of the young starters in place.
Keeping this team together for the next three years, while simply fine tuning the bullpen seemed like a good strategy to build on an 83 win team with All-Star talent on the current roster.
The two moves that netted Joaquin Benoit, Jesse Hahn, and Rafael Soriano while losing the potential ace in Dickey, seemed like an advantageous trade-off based on the team’s primary need. Hahn, coming off a strong rookie campaign, could be plugged in as the fifth starter behind Buehrle, Hutchinson, Stroman, and Happ with top lefty prospect Daniel Norris waiting in the wings, perhaps as early as mid-season. The bullpen gains significant strength with Benoit and Soriano added to a group with flame throwing Aaron Sanchez from the right side, while Brett Cecil and Aaron Loup comprise terrific options from the left side.
The final piece was signing Melky Cabrera to an expensive 14.2 million per year contract to return to the strong lineup that drove this team. Gregor Blanco, who was added as a non-roster invitee, should also add strength to an outfield that could use insurance in case Anthony Gose struggles continue at the plate. There’s also top prospect Dalton Pompey competing for playing time as he continues to develop. Juan Francisco, Josh Thole, and Danny Valencia were arbitration eligible players retained for prominent bench roles.
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I feel your rotation now lacks an ace, and quality. Buehrle is enigmatic, and not an ace; more a number 3ish to me, but not an ace. I’m wondering instead of signing Cabrera and adding to a strong offense, why not put that money into your rotation? Say, an Ervin Santana or trading for a Cole Hamels and giving Murrow (as a prospect at this juncture) and another kid?
Good point. My thinking was to acquire a front line closer , once I got Hahn/Benoit for Dickey I allowed myself to be more flexible with Sanchez. If Hahn or Happ falters, the bullpen would be strong enough with Soriano and the lefties to move Sanchez into rotation. Stroman, Hutchinson, and Sanchez are the future of rotation. Melky was key in keeping the lineup lethal at the top. Wouldn’t have traded Dickey if Hahn wasn’t included. Happ’s option was a bargain after last year’s strong second half. With Buehrle off books nexr yr, veteran would be welcome at deadline or next yr.