What the Toronto Blue Jays Need for 2017
After bowing out in the American League Championship series for the second straight season, it’s clear the current hitters on the Toronto Blue Jays roster aren’t good enough to get it done.
So with the off-season now in full swing for Toronto, it’s a chance to assess what the club needs to be successful in 2017 and actually get back to the World Series.
With plenty of players now being free agents, including sluggers Edwin Encarnacion and Jose Bautista, Jays GM Ross Atkins has a chance to retool the team a bit in terms of the offence.
But before any retooling can commence, the Jays need to re-sign Encarnacion. It’ll cost them, but it’s a must.
Firstly it’s hard to replace 47 home runs and 108 RBI and a guy who’s in his prime at 33 years old. It’s also hard to replace someone who is so popular with fans and teammates in the clubhouse. Moreover, the last thing the Blue Jays want is Encarnacion crushing dingers as a member of the Red Sox or Yankees. Everyone knows the Red Sox need to replace David Ortiz, so it’s a good bet Boston will be champing at the bit to sign Encarnacion and will be throwing huge dollars his way. The Yankees might try sign him just to piss off the Red Sox.
If Toronto can’t re-sign Encarnacion, Justin Smoak is under contract at first base and he could presumably play everyday (but he never has), which means the Jays would then have to go out and find a designated hitter to plunk into the lineup and someone to platoon with Smoak at first base. So by re-signing Encarnacion, they are killing two birds with one stone.
Blue Jays Need A Versatile Outfielder
Assuming Atkins lets Bautista go, he’ll need to find an everyday right fielder via trade or free agency.
Atkins would be wise to avoid signing another one-dimensional hitter, like Bautista. Rather, go out and find a fielder who makes contact, hits for average, has some speed and can give the Blue Jays more versatility at the plate and on the bases, as opposed to someone who just sits on fastballs trying to hit home runs (which was a big problem for the Jays against Cleveland as they could not hit anything down and away).
There have been rumours the Jays are interested in LA Dodgers outfielder Josh Reddick, and he would be a solid addition. He boasts a bit of power and some speed, while hitting for average (.281 this season).
And with left fielder Michael Saunders being an unsigned free agent right now (he hit just .178 through the second half of the season), there is another outfield hole, but you have to think Ezequiel Carrera has earned a starting gig in one of the corner fielding spots after hitting .303 in the playoffs with a home run, three RBI, and two triples.
Another Left-Hander Needed in the Bullpen
In terms of the pitching, the Jays have several free agents in R.A. Dickey (won’t be back), Gavin Floyd, Joaquin Benoit, and Brett Cecil.
Benoit became a key arm in the second half, and Cecil was up and down, but did have an exceptional post-season, working four hitless innings with four strikeouts. He did walk three, however.
Yet even if the Jays were to re-sign Cecil, the still need to find a solid left hander in the bullpen for next season.
Perhaps Atkins and manager John Gibbons would move Franciso Liriano into the ‘pen for 2017. But, with his $13 million contract, it’s a lot of money to have sitting around pitching in certain situations only. Problem is the free agent crop of lefties is very thin.
In terms of starting pitching, the Jays are fine with Marco Estrada, Aaron Sanchez, J.A. Happ and Marcus Stroman all back for 2017. Atkins may want to go out and get a fifth starter via trade or free agency or keep Liriano in the rotation. Either way, the Jays will have an exceptional rotation again next season.
So the keys for Toronto this off-season include finding an outfielder or two, re-signing Encarnacion and finding a solid lefty for the bullpen.
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