Toronto Blue Jays: A Bumpy Ride

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Before the MLB season, Toronto Blue Jays superstar Vladimir Guerrero Jr. famously said “last year was the trailer. What you are going to see this year is the movie.” 

Well, it’s been one hell of a film for these 2022 Toronto Blue Jays. 

Up to this point, the Blue Jays have dealt with serious production setbacks. They have been thrown metaphoric curveball after metaphoric curveball but they still find themselves at first in a very competitive AL wild-card race. Despite free agency losses, injury problems, underperforming stars, and the mid-season firing of manager Charlie Montoyo, they can still pull it all together to make a run at the fall classic. 

Toronto’s Bumpy Ride

Like Blue Jays legend Jose Bautista said in a recent interview with Betway Insider, the firing of Montoyo may or may not have been warranted, but it is the type of move that generally causes seismic shifts in a locker room. With interim manager John Schneider, the Blue Jays have posted a decent 14-8 record, but Bautista believes there is still room for improvement.

After losing star SS Marcus Semien and 2021 Cy Young winner Robbie Ray in free agency, the front office had serious work to do.

They combatted the loss of Semien with the acquisition of 3-time Gold Glover Matt Chapman. Chapman was brought in to expertly man the hot corner, but he has played unspectacular defense up to this point. Chapman has a 0 OAA with only 1 DRS compared to 28 DRS and 15 OAA in his best defensive season in Oakland. A defensive improvement from Chapman could go far in taking this team through the playoffs.

picture of blue jays star Matt Chapman
Matt Chapman has been one of Toronto’s biggest disappointment’s thus far

The Blue Jays offset the departure of Cy Young winner Robbie Ray by acquiring Kevin Gausman. Gausman has built off his comeback 2021 season to lead the league in FIP. Gausman, along with first-time all-star Alek Manoah, has been one of the lone bright spots in this troubled pitching staff. 

Speaking of their pitching staff, as detailed by Jose Bautista in his Betway Insider interview, the Blue Jays have had serious pitching and injury issues. First, the Blue Jays need starter Hyun-Jin Ryu to come back healthy and effective for a postseason run. The Blue Jays will also need struggling starter Jose Berrios to rebound quickly. Berrios is carrying a negative WAR with an ERA+ of 76 on the season. As a two-time all-star, the Blue Jays expected more from Berrios. Berrios has shown his first signs of a comeback by posting his first sub-4.00 ERA month of the season. If Berrios is can return to top form, the Jays’ rotation will immediately become one of the league’s best. 

A Trophy Comes to Toronto?

With the possibility of an improved pitching staff, a more stable clubhouse, and an ever-improving young offense, the Blue Jays could very well build a championship story for the ages.

 

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