Atkins coy on Guerrero’s debut
Drury likely candidate to open season starting at third for Blue Jays
DUNEDIN, FLA.— If Ross Atkins has a date in mind for Vlad Guerrero Jr.’s promotion to the major leagues, the Blue Jays general manager isn’t sharing it.
Baseball’s top prospect is widely expected to make the jump to the big leagues in midto late April, just short of accruing the 172 days needed to have reached one year of majorleague service time, therefore prolonging the club’s control over its future star.
Guerrero was the hot topic in Atkins’ first official spring training chat with the media on Thursday, the same day pitchers and catchers reported to officially get preparations for the season under way, but the GM played coy about the club’s plan for the 19-year-old slugger.
“There’s no firm timeline on when he arrives and when he is playing in Toronto for the first time, but we want to make sure he’s the best possible third baseman, the best possible hitter he can be,” Atkins said.
The focus with Guerrero is on development, Atkins added. It’s why the club promoted him to the Triple-A Buffalo Bisons last July, why they sent him to the Arizona Fall League last October and why he is a non-roster invitee at big-league spring training here for the first time, though he has yet to make an appearance in the clubhouse.
Atkins said Guerrero “made huge strides” as a baserunner and defensively in Arizona, but said Brandon Drury at the hot corner on opening day was the “most likely scenario.”
In Florida, Atkins wants Guerrero to continue to develop a major-league routine with elite preparation and recovery, adding that the work to stay agile and keep the six-foot-one, 200pounder at third base as long as possible is the biggest challenge. TEPERA’S TAKE: Atkins said there is no bad blood between the club and reliever Ryan Tepera after the 31-year-old told the Star he was “not happy” with the arbitration process this offseason. Tepera had asked for $1.8 million (U.S.) in his first year of arbitration eligibility, but an independent panel at a hearing last Thursday sided with the Jays, who argued for a $1.525-million salary in 2019.
“The arbitration process, it’s difficult for players,” Atkins said. “Certainly respect and understand how competitive he is in wanting to have won, but the process is in place for a reason. Glad he’s a part of our bullpen.”
This is the second straight year the Jays have won an arbitration hearing, after panels sided with the team over starter Marcus Stroman and former closer Roberto Osuna in 2018. Stroman expressed frustration in a series of tweets at the time, but Atkins said the arbitration process is in place to mitigate hurt feelings on either side, though the club is willing to explain its rationale or answer any questions a player may have in the aftermath.
“It’s really more focused on the process than on the team,” he said. “It’s an independent panel that is making the decision and a consultant who is handling the case, so it doesn’t impact our dynamic, our relationship. Losing the case can be emotional, but our dynamic and relationship is strong.” UP FOR GRABS: Atkins says there is still room to add pitching, the Jays’ main priority, both in the bullpen and the rotation. Stroman, Aaron Sanchez and off-season acquisitions Clayton Richard and Matt Shoemaker are the front-runners for the first four spots in the rotation, with Ryan Borucki — who had a 3.87 ERA in 17 starts as a rookie in 2018 — competing for the fifth spot along with Trent Thornton, Sean Reid-Foley and Thomas Pannone for the moment. INJURY REPORT: Right-hander T.J. Zeuch, projected to be part of the Triple-A Bisons’ rotation this year, is struggling with a mild lat strain, while Julian Merryweather, acquired from Cleveland in the Josh Donaldson trade, will likely start the season rehabbing after undergoing Tommy John surgery last March. Right-handed reliever David Phelps, who signed a one-year deal last month, is 11 months into his recovery from Tommy John surgery, but Atkins said he could break camp with the team. NEW FACES: Canadian reliever John Axford is on his way to Florida on a minor-league contract. The right-hander had a 4.41 ERA in 51 innings for the Jays last season, then was traded to the Los Angeles Dodgers in July for righty prospect Corey Copping. Axford would earn $1.65 million if he makes the cut, according to Sportsnet’s Shi Davidi ... Two more late camp additions: righthanded reliever Conor Fisk, who spent most of 2018 with the Bisons, and catcher Alberto Mineo, who played with the Class-A Advanced Dunedin.