#13
The Toronto Blue Jays have been one of the most dynamic young rosters in baseball for several years now. Will 2023 finally bring about a deep run into October?
#1 - 1st in AL East, win World Series
MIH - George Springer
MIP - Jose Berrios
PTW - Gabriel Moreno
2022 Results
#11 - 92-70, 2nd in AL East, WILD CARD, lost in Wild Card Series
Highest WAR (Position) - George Springer
Highest WAR (Pitcher) - Alek Manoah
The Blue Jays were my World Series pick in 2022. Although they did not make it all the way to the title, the Blue Jays had a great season that ended in catastrophe after blowing a huge lead in a Wild Card Series elimination game against the Mariners. The biggest revelation of the 2022 season was the emergence of Alek Manoah as their ace and best player. In just his 2nd season in the big leagues, Manoah had a 174 ERA+ which led to an All Star appearance and a 3rd place finish in the Cy Young voting.
Additions / Subtractions
The Blue Jays had an interesting offseason that saw them get rid of some key contributors while bringing on some big veterans. The biggest subtractions were outfielders Teoscar Hernandez and Lourdes Gurriel Jr., top prospect catcher Gabirel Moreno, and pitcher Ross Stripling. Hernandez was traded for reliever Erik Swanson and a pitching prospect. Gurriel and Moreno were traded for outfielder Daulton Varsho. In free agency, they also added veterans Chris Bassitt, Kevin Kiermaier, and Brandon Belt.
Most Important Hitter
Vladimir Guerrero Jr.
Ever since Vladimir Guerrero Jr. got close to the big leagues, he has been one of the most talked about players in baseball, not just for his bloodlines but also for his immense talent. In 2021, he showed what he is capable of finishing runner up in the AL MVP and leading the league in runs, home runs, OBP, slugging, OPS, and OPS+ in only his age 22 season. In 2022, he was good (and even won a Gold Glove), but he wasn't near the elite production of the year before. Now he is an established veteran and needs to prove who he is. In 2022, he was an All Star. In 2021, he was an elite player that could be a face of baseball. If the Blue Jays are going to be one of the elite teams in the league, Vlad Jr. needs to be one of the elite players in the league.
Most Important Pitcher
Jose Berrios
Few careers have been more inconsistent and confusing than Jose Berrios. Every since he burst on the scene as a 22 year old in 2016, he has shown he has elite talent but not necessarily elite production. He was an All Star in 2018 and 2019, and 2021 was probably his best season when he was traded to Toronto, but 2022 was his worst season as a big leaguer with a 5.23 ERA and a 74 ERA+. Before the 2022 season, the Blue Jays signed him to a 7 year deal expecting him to produce like the 2021 version, not the 2022 version that had a -0.6 WAR. The Blue Jays have a great top of the rotation with Alek Manoah and Kevin Gausman. Signing Chris Bassitt gives them a solid mid-rotation option, but Berrios has the potential to give the Blue Jays a third ace if he is at his best. At his 2022 production, Berrios is a waste of a high salary.
Prospect to Watch
Yosver Zulueta
The Blue Jays have a fairly poor farm system with only one prospect featured in the Top 100 prospects and that prospect still at least a year away from having an impact at the big leagues. The prospect most likely to impact the big league roster this season is right-handed pitcher Yosver Zulueta. Although Zulueta is seen as a starter, he has also seen some success in the minors out of the bullpen. The Blue Jays have some decent rotation depth, but if they are looking for some help in the bullpen, look for the 25 year old to get a shot to burst on the scene.
2023 Prediction
4th in AL East
Hot take time! I have the Blue Jays as the best team to miss the playoffs in 2023. Could the Blue Jays win the World Series in 2023? Yes. Could the Blue Jays miss the playoffs? Yes. The AL East is the toughest division in all of baseball with potentially 5 elite teams depending on how things go. Easily 3 teams from this division could make the playoffs, and it wouldn't surprise me if the Blue Jays were one of the teams that missed. I also wouldn't be surprised if they ended up in the World Series. The AL is just that competitive.
Fearless Prediction
Alek Manoah will win the AL Cy Young in 2023.
The 2023 season will go one of two ways for Alek Manoah. Either he is one of the best pitchers in the American League, or he gets injured and ends up spending more of the season on the IL than in the lineup. It's one or the other. At 25 years old, and an increased workload over his two seasons in the big leagues, it feels like an injury can be an inevitability for a pitcher in that scenario. However, at 6'6" 285 pounds, and a nice and easy delivery, Manoah is set up better than most to withstand the workload and become one of the best pitchers in all of baseball. The only question is if the rest of the rotation can keep up with him.
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