Fans given gift of hope
Signing Ryu doesn’t fix all team’s problems, but it shows ability to make big moves
Mark Shapiro and Ross Atkins are quickly finding out that all it takes is a big cheque to buy a bit of goodwill around these parts.
The Blue Jays are back in the news cycle and, unlike the last couple years, this time it’s for doing something positive.
The honeymoon won’t last forever, but after being left at the altar several times already this off-season, Toronto can finally celebrate getting its man.
The four-year deal worth $80 million (all dollars U.S.) with veteran left-hander Hyun-Jin Ryu represents a major coup for the front office. It’s the thirdlargest contract in franchise history, trailing only outfielder Vernon Wells (seven years, $126 million) and catcher Russell Martin (five years, $82 million). More important, for the first time in at least two years, it proves the Blue Jays are actively trying to win.
When word of the signing first broke late Sunday night, the Jays’ fan base on social media was sent into a frenzy. The move was labelled by some as the organization’s biggest moment in free agency since A.J. Burnett in 2006. Others felt it brought back memories of Alex Anthopoulos going for it in 2013.
Even more were excited about what comes next. Criticism, for once, was rare. Atkins came close to scoring a rare universal win in the public eye.
All that might seem a bit rich for a team that still has a lot of holes. Toronto doesn’t possess a suitable everyday centre-fielder, at least not defensively, and there is no one in the pipeline who is an obvious candidate to take over any time soon. The Jays could use another middle-of-the-order bat at designated hitter along with multiple arms for the bullpen. The off-season shopping isn’t done.
On paper, Toronto falls short of being a legitimate contender, and one can logically question why this organization deserves praise when so many other needs remain. That’s before the clear injury risk associated with Ryu — who previously dealt with shoulder, elbow and neck issues — is even considered. By making an aggressive move, Atkins and Shapiro opened the door for criticism down the road.
Still, none of that seems to matter right now. For the first time since at least the start of 2017, fans have something to believe in. There had been a breakdown in trust between ownership, the front office and customers over the last couple of years. Optimism existed because of a promising young core, but it was often overshadowed by skepticism that the Jays and Rogers Communications would make the additions that needed to come next.
By signing Ryu, Atkins is doubling down on his young roster. This organization doesn’t need to turn things around overnight, especially after a year in which it won just 67 games, but adding Ryu with a 2.98 ERA across six bigleague seasons is an indication that Toronto’s committed to regaining its contender status. It moves the ball club one step closer to respectability and it’s one less piece that needs to be added next year when the rookies are more mature. The fact that they bought an asset with money, instead of hampering the rebuild by trading prospects, makes it that much more appealing.
Ryu shouldn’t be considered an ace, but there have been long stretches when he pitched like one. The Blue Jays likely would be content to get a similar return to the one they got from J.A. Happ after his signing prior to 2016. They are completely different pitchers, but the concept is similar. Happ was 33 at the time of his deal and while he wasn’t an undisputed No. 1 starter, the native of Illinois became a very reliable mid-rotation piece. Ryu has less durability but more upside, and will be 34 at the start of next season.
The big question now is: What comes next? Toronto was linked to Red Sox starter David Price earlier this offseason and the rumour was floated again by The Athletic’s Ken Rosenthal Sunday morning.
The club previously was known to have an interest in Happ, who the Yankees are looking to move after signing Gerrit Cole. The possibility of a trade for either well-known pitcher went down substantially following the latest signing.
The Blue Jays are open to adding more, but they will also be conscious of not adding too much risk to the rotation.
It seems highly unlikely that they will get an average of 200 innings per year out of Ryu, and adding someone like Price or an aging veteran like Happ wouldn’t give the Jays the certainty they crave. That could still change if the Red Sox or Yankees are prepared to eat a ton of money — think well over half — but a true fit is doubtful.
A similar stance could be taken with the DH spot, where Edwin Encarnacion remains a possibility. Encarnacion would have to come at the right cost for the organization to take at-bats away from the likes of Derek Fisher or Teoscar Hernandez, and the Jays will also be careful not to rule out future adds through trades for some of the bigger names that might become available.
The Jays’ payroll for next year currently is projected to come in slightly under $100 million. They have remained vague on specifics about how much they have to spend this winter, but the belief is the club still has some resources to work with, and if a potential deal moves the needle, there’s a chance another surprise move or two could be in store.
Even after signing Ryu — whose contract breaks down evenly, $20 million per season — the Jays will need almost everything to break right if they want to be playing meaningful baseball next September.
It seems unlikely, but the point is that fans can start dreaming about it again. They can envision a future where Vladimir Guerrero Jr., Bo Bichette and Cavan Biggio take on starring roles while Ryu and others provide just enough pitching to give this team a chance.
Fans will feel more compelled to buy a ticket or turn on the television, similar to how the city is enjoying the current run by an undermanned Raptors squad. A midsummer afternoon at the ballpark suddenly seems a whole lot more enjoyable. The Jays have given their fans a reason to care.
Rebuilds don’t have to be done solely through the draft or trades. A lot of good work can get done in free agency, too, and while this signing likely will be considered an overpay, it’s one ownership can easily afford.
After making a lot of promises, Atkins owed the players and fans a significant addition. To his credit, he delivered.