Offense
Obviously the Blue Jays offense is basically set, especially after picking up the options for Edwin Encarnacion and Jose Bautista. A returning Devon Travis could be the leadoff hitter and assumes the 2B job, so there were just a few “tweaks” needed and a restocking of the bench.
The addition of Josh Reddick gives the team a potential left-handed power hitter, helping to break up the monotony of all of the right-handed bats they have. The other key addition is actually Clint Robinson, who hit 10 HR in 276 AB against RHP last season. He’s an ideal platoon partner for Chris Colabello at DH, at a low cost, and can also make some starts at first base and in the outfield if necessary.
As for the rest of the bench, Alejandro De Aza, Stephen Drew and Dioner Navarro provide versatility and have all proven that they can start in the Major Leagues. For a team with championship aspirations, that’s what they need.
Rotation
It was not an easy decision to turn down the option for R.A. Dickey, but it seemed like there were better ways to allocate those assets. While Anibal Sanchez struggled last season, with Detroit picking up half the freight he’s a nice option as the fifth starter. Tyson Ross is a 28-year old who is an elite groundball pitcher (61.5% in ’15) with the ability to strikeout a batter per inning. While Toronto isn’t the friendliest of confines, that’s an ideal skillset and it wouldn’t be surprising to see the Blue Jays give him a long-term extension.
As for the free agent signings, Hisashi Iwakuma is an underrated pitcher who has consistently gotten it done since coming state-side. While he’s not David Price or Zack Greinke, as a “consolation prize” you are getting a #2 with #1 upside. Wei-Yin Chen is another solid producer who has proven he can excel in the AL East.
By adding these four, along with Marcus Stroman, the team can keep its dynamic youngsters Roberto Osuna & Aaron Sanchez at the back of the bullpen, where they proved they can thrive. They are there, if needed, but by adding Colby Lewis (as well as a few players on non-roster invites), there’s ample depth and a much better 1-5 than Toronto could’ve imagined.
Bullpen
As we noted, with the way things played out Toronto gets to keep the backend of its bullpen intact. When coupled with the additions of Evan Scribner, Kevin Quackenbush & Lewis, as well as the returning Aaron Loup & Brett Cecil, the team has a balanced bullpen that is deep and amass a significant amount of strikeouts.
| Pitchers | Batters | |||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| SP | Hisashi Iwakuma | $ 16,000,000 | C | Russell Martin | $ 15,000,000 | |
| SP | Wei-Yin Chen | $ 8,000,000 | 1B | Edwin Encarnacion | $ 10,000,000 | |
| SP | Marcus Stroman | $ 510,000 | 2B | Devon Travis | $ 510,000 | |
| SP | Tyson Ross | $ 10,000,000 | 3B | Josh Donaldson | $ 12,000,000 | |
| SP | Anibal Sanchez | $ 8,400,000 | SS | Troy Tulowitzki | $ 20,000,000 | |
| OF | Jose Bautista | $ 14,000,000 | ||||
| RP | Roberto Osuna | $ 510,000 | OF | Josh Reddick | $ 7,000,000 | |
| RP | Kevin Quackenbush | $ 510,000 | OF | Kevin Pillar | $ 510,000 | |
| RP | Evan Scribner | $ 700,000 | DH | Chris Colabello | $ 510,000 | |
| RP | Aaron Loup | $ 900,000 | ||||
| RP | Brett Cecil | $ 3,400,000 | Bench | Alejandro De Aza | $ 1,250,000 | |
| RP | Aaron Sanchez | $ 510,000 | Bench | Dioner Navarro | $ 1,000,000 | |
| RP | Colby Lewis | $ 1,250,000 | Bench | Stephen Drew | $ 1,000,000 | |
| Bench | Clint Robinson | $ 1,250,000 |
I’m not as high on Iwakuma as you are but you kept Toronto as the top team in the AL East, albeit barely. Your offense is still pretty awesome and your rotation is deeper than it was in 2015.
Have a surprise from the “other” GM in Canada: He offered Marco Estrada a QO today. Cant believe it, and there is no way that Estrada says no because if he didn’t see the problems Lohse had two years ago – and Lohse had a way better year – Estrada will be out of work until June.
Great work on the pitching staff, especially if Kuma can stay healthy.
Thanks Brian!
David I’m curious why you don’t view Iwakuma as a potential staff ace? 3.17 ERA, 1.08 WHIP, elite control and a groundball rate north of 50%. Seems like an ideal candidate to anchor a staff to me