Jays challenge Biagini to focus on starter role
Toronto Blue Jays GM Ross Atkins was on the firing line Wednesday and managed to survive an afternoon with the Toronto baseball media.
The only time Atkins was out of his element was when questions started leaping between being on and off the record. That was even confusing to some of the writers.
But one thing is clear: Atkins has become much more comfortable in his dealings with the media since being hired by Jays president Mark Shapiro in December 2015.
One of the more interesting tidbits of information offered up by Atkins at the annual event was that righthanded pitcher Joe Biagini was essentially told to work on some specific exercises during the off-season — and to get in shape — if he wanted to remain in the starting rotation. Biagini, who had success as a reliever during his first season with the Jays, was thrown into the rotation last year after a number of starters were injured and the results were mixed. Biagini had 18 starts and went 3-13 with a 5.34 ERA.
“If he were to come in good shape ( to spring traini ng) and l ooking l i ke he spent the off-season focused on being a starting pitcher, we could start the year with five solid major-league starters,” Atkins said about what Biagini was asked to do in the off- season. “It was more just about his approach to starting pitching and what that means physically, fundamentally, mentally. We have given him some clear goals for this off- season and if he meets them, he’s going to be in a great position to earn that spot.”
Biagini would be added to a rotation that includes Marcus Stroman, Aaron Sanchez (if his finger problems are resolved), J.A. Happ, Marco Estrada and possibly Brett Anderson if the Jays bring the lefty back. Atkins said there is a good chance the club will trade for or sign another starting pitcher. As for next week’s winter meetings and the off-season in general, Atkins said priorities haven’t changed.
“We know we need to complement our infield further, our outfield further, our pitching further, potentially even complement our catching situation,” he said. “How that comes to fruition from this point not only depends on priorities, but also what (that costs).”
Atkins said there’s a little more depth in the relief market as opposed to starting pitching. Steve Pearce’s name was mentioned in a question about a potential trade piece.
“We have a lot of talented players on our major-league team ( and) in our minorleague system that could be in some way used in a potential trade,” said Atkins. “But we love our team, I love Steve Pearce. I feel like he’s going to have an even better year than he had. He had some really big hits and some good streaks for us, so we’re glad he’s here.”
Pearce was slowed by injuries during his first season with the Jays, but came on as the 2017 season progressed.
Atkins expressed excitement over the recent trade of outfield prospect J.B. Woodman to the St. Louis Cardinals for shortstop Aledmys Diaz.
Diaz had a great rookie campaign in 2016, hitting .300 with 17 home runs, but struggled in his sophomore season, his average dropping to .259 as he was at one point demoted to triple-A.
But the Jays f ront office firmly believe Diaz has a lot of upside and will be, at the least, a strong insurance policy for Troy Tulowitzki and Devon Travis in the middle infield along with another recent acquisition, Gift Ngoepe, whom they acquired from the Pirates last month.
“It was an exciting trade for us,” said Atkins. “He ( Diaz) has an incredible pedigree in Cuba and throughout the minor leagues. All of our scouts believe (he’s) closer to the 2016 version of Aledmys than the 2017 version.”
As for other news, Atkins said the Jays have a strategy in line in the hopes of getting third baseman Josh Donaldson to sign a long- term contract extension, though he wouldn’t offer any specifics. As for Sanchez, the GM said the young fireballer is “doing great, his finger looks great, he’s strong and is in a great mental state” and will starting throwing soon.
The Toronto chapter of the Baseball Writers Association of America announced its end- of- season awards: Marcus Stroman was named ( unanimously) pitcher of the year, Donaldson won the player of the year, Justin Smoak won most improved player and Danny Barnes rookie of the year.