Year in Review: Toronto Blue Jays
Updated: Dec 17, 2020
It's time to look back at every team from around the MLB and what they each showed us during the 60 game sprint!
We are going to explore a few things for each team: Review in-season transactions, what we learned, what we loved, what we didn't love, the most significant need(s), and lastly, the biggest takeaways.
Let's jump over the AL with the Toronto(Buffalo) BlueJays today. We talked about the Padres, A's, Marlins, Yankee's, Cardinals, Whitesox, Cubs, Twins, and Reds so far; you can find all posts on the homepage https://www.theballboyblog.com/.
What moves got the 2020 BlueJays to the Playoffs?
Miami Marlins traded Jonathan Villar to Toronto Blue Jays for Player To Be Named Later. Marlins acquired Griffin Conine to complete the trade; Villar was traded to dump a rental for something to Miami and was just that, a rental piece for the BlueJays. It was a good depth piece and helped contribute down the stretch.
Arizona Diamondbacks traded LHP Robbie Ray and cash to Toronto Blue Jays for LHP Travis Bergen. This trade was another rental trade piece with the upside of hopefully retaining Ray. In recent years, Ray has shown well with ups and downs and a reliable number 2 type of pitcher.
Seattle Mariners traded RHP Taijuan Walker to Toronto Blue Jays for Player To Be Named Later. Walker was having a solid year in Seattle, and that gave him some value and a chance to compete with a contender, which is why he landed in Toronto. Overall a fair trade for a rental piece.
Seattle Mariners traded 1B Daniel Vogelbach to Toronto Blue Jays for cash- He was DFA'd a few days later, and the Brewers picked him up.
What did we love about the 2020 BlueJays?
We saw what we wanted to visit from the BlueJays in 2020. I had the Toronto Blue Jays- 33-27, and they finished at 32-28 and with the 3rd place finish. It was a season from Teosar Hernandez, Lourdes Gurriel Jr., Bo Bichette, Cavan Biggio, and Rowdy Tellez. This team is on track with the rebuild, and now the next step is strength and depth. We loved the offense and the defense from this team, just youth, and excitement from the field and lineup.
What did we not love about the 2020 BlueJays?
We did not love the pitching from anyone not named Hyun-Jin Ryu, or Tiajuan Walker was not significant in the rotation. Roark, Anderson, and Shoemaker each pitched to a 4.71ERA or higher. Nate Pearson was also disappointed in his work this season. Outside of some poor performances from the pitching, who had a team 4.60ERA the team was pretty fun to watch.
Do you know what I don't love? I don't love that you haven't come over to the forums and talked to me yet. I want to interact with you guys, so please come on over to the forums here, and let's interact: https://www.theballboyblog.com/forum.
Where do the 2020 BlueJays go from here?
The BlueJays roster will require filling a few holes over the winter, as Tiajuan Walker, Ken Giles, Robbie Ray, Matt Shoemaker, and Jonathan Villar are due for free agency. While they're at it, the Jays might also consider extending some of their core: Teoscar Hernandez, Lourdes Gurriel Jr., Bo Bichette, Cavan Biggio, and Rowdy Tellez, who each enjoyed a breakout season in 2020 in their regard. The most likely resign candidate for the Jays will be Walker because of the six starts and pitching to a 1.37ERA. The Blue Jays are on track right now and need to stay the course.
What was the biggest takeaway in 2020 for the BlueJays?
Keep up with the process, and keep taking the steps forward. The offense and defense are not this team's problem whatsoever. They have their Ace in Ryu. They are building the rotation behind Ryu and giving them a solid pen to win games. This team will be moving in the right direction.
Thank you guys for reading and being on this road through the offseason with me. I am so grateful for every view and read you guys give me. It does keep me going and give me the energy to keep going when I am down or not feeling it.