10 reasons for Jays fans to be optimistic
It wasn’t the easiest winter to be a Toronto Blue Jays fan.
As if getting over the disappointment of losing in the ALCS for a second year in a row wasn’t enough, then came the bungled Edwin Encarnacion negotiations, the icy, short-term reunion with Jose Bautista, followed by a runin with agent Scott Boras over a contract situation that will loom large in the future with young right-hander Aaron Sanchez. Still a contender, yes.
But one with obvious questions surrounding not only the 2017 roster, but also which direction the franchise will take in the future.
The Jays are still a team in the post-season hunt, and here are 10 reasons for optimism this season:
10
Jason Grilli keeps the ball in the park
From 2.70 to 4.00 to 2.94 to 4.12. That’s Grilli’s ERA progression over the past four seasons, which would leave him in line for a sub-3.00 ERA in 2017, right? While that’s obviously far from locked in at age 40, Grilli gave up 10 homers last season including four in September alone. His velocity dropped from 94 m.p.h. in 2015 to 92.4 last season.
9
They were right about Kendrys Morales
The Jays gave Encarnacion a few days to consider their lucrative offer back in November, before quickly switching gears and signing a different full-time DH/ sometimes first baseman to a three-year, $33-million pact. Detractors of the deal point to Morales’ negative value with the glove and on the basepaths, while those bullish about the almost 34-year-old believe moving from Kauffman Stadium in Kansas City to the Rogers Centre launching pad will benefit the switch hitter.
8
Troy Tulowitzki channels Coors Field form
Last year, Tulowitzki quietly piled up the most plate appearances (544) he’s had in a single season since 2011, but it didn’t exactly come with Coors-like production. His .254/.318/.443 slash line was one of the worst of his career, but he did smash 24 homers and drive in 79 runs. He may not be an MVP candidate anymore, but at 32, the best we’ve seen in a Toronto uniform may be yet to come.
7
Russell Martin shakes off slump
The 34-year-old catcher struck out more (27.7 per cent) and showed less power (. 167 isolated power) in 2016. Even more concerning is the fact that he hit .161 (14-87) in the final month of the season, followed by a dismal 3-for-33 post-season performance. It didn’t get any better this spring, either, as Martin has just four hits in 28 Grapefruit League at-bats.
6
A young bat emerges
It appears the Jays’ front office is expecting that the farm system will provide some help this year. At first base, that could be 22-year-old Rowdy Tellez, who got on base at a .371 clip in the spring. In the outfield, it could be Dalton Pompey, 24, while 23-year-old Cuban Lourdes Gurriel Jr. could move quickly with a good start.
5
Francisco Liriano has found something
Perhaps the best No. 5 starter in baseball, Liriano helped save the Jays’ season down the stretch last year by posting a 2.92 ERA in 49.1 innings, and he’s kept that momentum going this spring by striking out 25 hitters in 14.1 innings, while keeping the walks to a minimum.
4
Devon Travis stays healthy
Shoulder and knee injuries have ruined much of Travis’ first two big league seasons, but the fullseason numbers you get when you add it all up are impressive: 19 homers, 92 runs, and a .301 batting average in 627 at-bats. A full season of setting the table at the top of the lineup is what everyone seeks now that he’s recovered from off-season knee surgery.
Jose Bautista has something to prove
Forced to settle for a short-term deal, Bautista is in prove-it mode in 2017, looking to rebound from a .234/.366/.452 slash line and just 22 home runs, his least since 2009. Despite back troubles (1) this spring, he’s been crushing the baseball with two homers and a .478 average in Grapefruit League play.
Josh Donaldson
Not much needs to be said about employing a former AL MVP who’s one of the top 10 bats in all of baseball. Simply pencilling the 31-year-old third baseman’s name into the No. 2 hole each day is going to give you a head start on success.
Pair of aces?
Using the WAR metric, Aaron Sanchez and Marcus Stroman finished as the 15th and 18th most valuable starting pitchers in baseball last season. If they don’t improve at all in 2017, they’ll still be really good. If they continue to take steps toward fulfilling the sky-high expectations, the ace label could apply to both.