Jays will need Vlad’s record bat if Stroman gets dealt to Yankees
The Blue Jays watched a little history Monday as Vladimir Guerrero Jr. went deep once for every game the team has played this year. It was a chance to dream of what might be for a team that is on pace for more losses (100) than the homers their young star hit in the derby (91).
But reality sets back in Friday as the Jays open a three-game series in New York against the first-place Yankees. That begins a sobering second-half schedule that is dominated by games against New York, Boston and Tampa Bay.
Five storylines to watch as the unofficial second half begins:
Marcus Stroman
Stroman’s future will dominate the Jays news for as long as he is with the team, which likely won’t be beyond the July 31 trade deadline. The rumours will surely pick up this weekend. Stroman is expected to start Sunday against the Yankees, and the Yankees need starting pitching. Both J.A. Happ and James Paxton underachieved in the first half, while ace Luis Severino’s return date remains a mystery.
The Yankees envision Severino as part of their stretch run, but they will still like to add some certainty to their rotation.
Stroman had a strong first half — eighth in the American League with a 3.18 ERA — but received little run support from the Jays. He might be the best fit among the rumoured Yankee targets, which includes Madison Bumgarner, Zach Wheeler, and Matt Boyd. New York could offer outfielder Clint Frazier as a potential trade piece, but the Jays would likely be most interested in pitchers Albert Abreu and Deivi Garcia.
Aaron Sanchez
The 27-year-old right-hander had a nightmarish first half (3-12, 6.16 ERA, 56 walks in 92 innings). And, while there has long been talk of the Jays moving him at the deadline, the team would be selling low.
Sanchez is convinced he can rebound to winning form, but that form was three years ago when he went 15-2 with an ALbest 3.00 ERA. He’s had a couple of procedures on that problematic finger on his pitching hand.
He will be closely scrutinized in his first few starts after the break.
Vladimir Guerrero Jr.
That 91-homer performance on Monday has some suggesting Toronto’s third baseman could hit 30 this season.
But his first half was underwhelming — eight homers, and a .249/.328/.413 slash line — and he’d need to hit 22 in 71 games, assuming he doesn’t sit holidays.
There’s plenty of natural ability there, and Guerrero will make adjustments and get better as the year goes along, but 30 homers might be a little much to ask of a 20-year-old, even one that’s a home-run derby legend.
Ryan Borucki
Borucki’s return might hinge on what the Jays do at the trade deadline. It will also depend on his health, which appears to be on the upswing. After suffering elbow inflammation in spring training, and some setbacks since then, Borucki is back throwing in minor-league games, tossing seven shutout innings in two appearances, none above A-ball. There’s a long way to go yet, and it would make sense for the left-hander to build up his arm strength in the minors. But a little time at the big-league level would give Borucki a happy ending to this season and boost his confidence.
100 losses
There should be a host of other storylines to follow in the second half — Lourdes Gurriel Jr.’s continued success, Danny Jansen’s offensive breakout and more. But the possibility of a 100-loss season should be eating at every player, coach, manager, and executive in the organization. It could be tough to avoid; the Jays have 71 games remaining with 32 of those against the Yankees, Red Sox, Rays and Astros.