JAYS CAN USE ALL-STAR BREAK TO CHART SECOND-HALF COURSE
Questions surround pending free agents, the lineup and trades, says Frank Zicarelli.
The Toronto Blue Jays find themselves in the midst of
MLB'S all-star break, a time to mend some of the team's broken pieces and try to figure out the ideal rotation and lineup moving forward.
A post-season appearance was achieved last year, but it came in a shortened season when the playoff pool was expanded. It ended quite abruptly when Tampa took two in a row in a best-ofthree meeting.
The Jays added big-ticket free agent George Springer, but the former World Series MVP has yet to find his footing after beginning the year with injuries to his oblique and quad.
For now, the Jays have slotted Springer at cleanup, an unfamiliar role for someone accustomed to leading off.
When play resumes on Friday with a three-game series against the Texas Rangers, one of the issues facing the Jays involves Springer and precisely where he best fits in the lineup. What's known is that Springer will be a staple, given the commitment the Jays made in luring him to Toronto, even though the franchise has yet to play a game of any consequence north of the border.
What's not known is whether Marcus Semien will be around beyond this season.
Semien is in Denver, site of Tuesday's all-star game, one of three Blue Jays who will start for the American League.
He's a free agent who has been asked to play at second base when his natural position is shortstop.
Robbie Ray isn't in Colorado, but he should be, given the body of work. He allowed one hit and one walk while striking out 11 over seven scintillating innings to improve to 7-4 on Sunday in Tampa.
It was Ray's ninth game in which he has recorded nine or more Ks, tying the ace of all staff aces in Jacob degrom of the New York Mets for most in the majors.
Only Roger Clemens (140) has struck out more than Ray (130) in team history at the break.
Like Semien, Ray is a pending free agent.
The Jays sport a 45-42 record at the break and are in the hunt for a wild-card berth.
They're eight games back of AL East-leading Boston.
The Jays are scheduled to play 13 games before the July 30 trade deadline arrives. Seven of those 13 games will be against the Red Sox.
Blue Jays management has tried to address the bullpen by trading for Adam Cimber, Trevor Richards and Jacob Barnes. There's talk of the team being interested in bigger names such as Craig Kimbrel and Richard Rodriguez. The Jays have also been linked to some big bats such as Nelson Cruz and even Joey Gallo. If anything, the Jays have shown they'll pull the trigger on a big deal.
In 18 games played against the Red Sox and Rays, the Jays have gone a combined 7-11. And they are just 4-5 against the struggling New York Yankees.
Toronto is known for its offence, but the Jays entered the break having lost 7-1 and 5-2 to Tampa before Ray's one-hit gem.
The all-star break comes at an opportune time for the team, a time best used to self-evaluate.
FEELING A DRAFT
The Jays used the 19th overall pick in MLB'S first round to select right-handed pitcher Gunnar Hoglund, regarded by many as a top-10 selection before he had Tommy John surgery in May. The book on Hoglund, an Ole Miss product, highlights his command and an arsenal that includes a slider that has cutter-like qualities. Scouts project Hoglund to be a mid-rotation starter ... Doug Melvin and Gord Ash have a soft spot for Canadians, given their backgrounds, which helps explain why the Milwaukee Brewers selected Wright State University second baseman Tyler Black, whose dad Rod is no slouch of an athlete when he's not working as a broadcaster for TSN. Tyler was selected 33rd overall by the Brew Crew, emerging as the lone Canuck taken in the first round. Black is a good kid with a bright future
... The Jays forfeited their second-round pick after signing Springer, but they did have a third-round selection and used it on Golden West College left-hander Ricky Tiedemann, who is known for throwing all three of his pitches for strikes in the absence of a true heater
... Toronto then used its fourthround pick on another pitcher, right-hander Chad Dallas, who became the ace of a College World Series staff at Tennessee ... Irv Carter IV, a right-handed senior pitcher at Calvary Christian in Fort Lauderdale, Fla., went to Toronto in the fifth round. Carter, who is committed to the University of Miami, hits 95 m.p.h. with his fastball ... The Jays used their sixth-round pick to select Hayden Juenger, a sixfoot right-hander from Missouri State.