Unusual-take a look at out Blue Jays design rave reviews from rival managers: ‘They’re a powerhouse’
Following a disappointing two-game sweep on the hands of the Seattle Mariners in the playoffs ultimate October, the Toronto Blue Jays spent their offseason rejigging their roster to keep a bigger emphasis on defence and lineup steadiness.
Fan favourites Teoscar Hernandez and Lourdes Gurriel Jr. were traded and replaced in the outfield by Kevin Kiermaier and Daulton Varsho — two Gold Glove-calibre defenders who both hit left-handed. Two-time World Sequence champion Brandon Belt used to be also brought in to give some thump from the left side along with tons of playoff journey.
On the pitching front, free agent starter Chris Bassitt signed a three-year deal to interchange the outlet Ross Stripling left in the rotation, whereas Erik Swanson used to be got in the Hernandez commerce to carry extra stability to the again of the bullpen.
Whether or no longer or no longer this iteration of the Blue Jays is more fit than the membership that won 92 video games in 2022 stays to be considered, but Toronto’s sleek take a look at out is drawing the attention of managers across the American League East.
“That’s one of the toughest, if no longer the toughest lineups to face,” Baltimore Orioles skipper Brandon Hyde told The Athletic’s Kaitlyn McGrath. “[George] Springer and Vlad [Guerrero Jr.] and [Bo] Bichette, it’s surely, surely aggravating at-bats. No longer to indicate their pitching used to be surely staunch ultimate year, the front-discontinuance starters and a staunch bullpen. They usually’re going to be surely, surely staunch again.”
Toronto’s balanced lineup is one thing Boston Purple Sox manager Alex Cora commented on, jokingly pointing out he might maybe maybe maybe surely have the choice to deploy some southpaw relievers in opposition to the Blue Jays in 2023. The Blue Jays dominated the Purple Sox ultimate season, winning 16 of their 19 meetings.
“Our lefties near into play. We had three ultimate year that we couldn’t expend thanks to all their righties, so with a dinky bit of luck on our discontinuance, it’s an profit,” Cora acknowledged to McGrath. “Nonetheless all joking apart, they’re a powerhouse. Obviously, they bought a model of the playoffs ultimate year, they on occasion’re hunting for extra.”
The Unusual York Yankees ended up winning the ultra-aggressive AL East by seven video games in 2022 and are favoured to buy the crown once extra this year. Yankees manager Aaron Boone just is not always surely anticipating to mosey to at least one other division title and expects the Blue Jays to give his squad a bustle for its money.
“They’re going to be a crew that is going to be combating for the division and easily in that combine,” Boone told The Athletic. “Anytime we play them, you bought to play your handiest to beat them.”
