Tough to see Morales’ return to form
But Gibbons believes his designated hitter is ‘due to get hot’ after slow start to the season
It’s sort of the equivalent of being told a date you’re being matched up with is a really good person. This is what Toronto Blue Jays manager John Gibbons recently had to say about the club’s struggling designated hitter Kendrys Morales.
“I’ll tell ya, there’s not a more positive, hard-working guy than Kendrys. In a lot of ways, he’s a breath of fresh air, too, because he doesn’t get too high, he doesn’t get too low even through the tough times. Which is good, which is important.”
Rarely have times been as tough at the plate for Morales as they are now. The 34-year-old slugger is hitting .154 in 91 at-bats with three home runs and an OPS of .525. Gibbons had him batting seventh Sunday in a 5-3 loss to the Boston Red Sox.
Clearly if the Jays have any chance — and it’s becoming increasingly slim — of making it into the post-season this year, they need more production out of their DH.
Morales is making US$11 million this season and is under contract for $12 million next year before becoming a free agent.
A trade is nearly out of the question. So what do they do?
For his part, Gibbons, who is loyal to his veterans, plans to let the native of Fomento, Cuba, try to hit his way out of his slump, even if it appears that’s not close to happening.
Aside from the occasional burst, Morales almost seems lost at the plate, though he did walk twice and get a hit Sunday.
Some observers believe that age may have caught up to Morales despite the fact he is much more slender this season and is wearing prescription glasses to help him see better.
Others see a fastball hitter who is getting fed a steady diet of breaking balls and sliders.
“(Age) does catch up with everybody, (but) I don’t want to pin that on him yet,” Gibbons said. “All I know is he’s going to show up, he always does. He’s a threat. He’s due to get hot, no doubt.”
The question is when? And will it be in time to help the Jays get on a run?
“He got some glasses and I know the people tell ya it takes a while to adjust off that, but I think in the last few days he’s been swinging much better. That goes back to Minnesota and down in Tampa (earlier this month),” Gibbons said. “I think he’s going to come. He’s always hits. He’s frustrated by it. It’s something that’s never been an issue with him.”
Rough times for rotation
The Blue Jays’ starting rotation was supposed to be one of the team’s strong points this season. It has been
one of its biggest disappointments.
Marcus Stroman’s numbers have been abysmal, newcomer Jaime Garcia hasn’t fared much better and Marco Estrada has been mediocre. Joe Biagini made a few spot starts and has disappointed.
J.A. Happ and Aaron Sanchez have been decent, but are both sporting earned-run averages nearly a run over their career norms.
For Toronto to have any chance of contending for a playoff spot, the starters must go deeper into games.
The future looks good
The Blue Jays boast one of the sport’s top prospects in Vladimir Guerrero Jr., who is enjoying a monster season with the double-A New Hampshire Fisher Cats.
It remains unclear when or if he’ll get a call-up this season. In the meantime, some of Toronto’s other intriguing young prospects have had a taste of the big leagues.
Infielder Lourdes Gurriel Jr. showed flashes of his potential before being sent down to triple-A Buffalo over the weekend.
Teoscar Hernandez has hit some tape-measure homers since his recall from the Bisons in mid-April. Anthony Alford, Dalton Pompey and Dwight Smith Jr. have also had some looks in the outfield.
The bringer of pain
The shoulder woes that limited third baseman Josh Donaldson in spring training have been a concern this year.
The 2015 American League most valuable player tried to battle through a dead arm in April before spending a month on the disabled list. His cross-diamond throws from third base have been significantly weaker than normal at times.
Donaldson, a three-time all-star, has also seen drops in his offensive averages (. 239 average, .320 on-base percentage, .467 slugging percentage) and his wins above replacement have tumbled to 0.5.
The 32-year-old slugger is slated to become a free agent at the end of the season.
Donaldson has 223 extra-base hits since joining the Jays in 2015, putting him in the top five in the AL over that time.
Embattled bullpen
The absence of closer Roberto Osuna has created a big hole in an already overtaxed bullpen.
Tyler Clippard has been given the ball in the ninth inning and Seunghwan Oh, Ryan Tepera and John Axford could also close if needed.
Clippard, Oh and Axford have yet to record a loss this season. All three players have earned-run averages under 1.50.
Walk this way
Justin Smoak has reached base safely in 33 of his 36 games played this season (. 358 OBP).