The Toronto Blue Jays appear to have rebuilt quicker than some may have anticipated. The team already looks vastly different from the one that went to consecutive ALCS in 2015-2016, and they look like a potential surprise team in 2020.
The team is coming off of three-straight seasons with 86+ losses. That includes 95 losses in 2019. The team has an over/under win total set at 73.5, and some fans may want to rush to sports betting Canada locations to wager on that.
A Tough Division
Although the team has made some prominent moves in the offseason, they still have to compete with the New York Yankees, the Tampa Bay Rays, and the Boston Red Sox, all of whom have been forces in the AL East for the last few seasons.
Despite the Red Sox trade of Mookie Betts and David Price, they still have a large part of their core in place that led them to the 2018 World Series championship in a 108-win season.
The Rays have won at least 90 games in each of the two previous seasons, and took the Houston Astros to Game 5 of the ALDS in 2019. The Yankees took the Astros to Game 7 of the ALCS in 2017, and they won at least 100 games in 2018 and 2019. Clearly, the Blue Jays will have a tough road ahead towards once again contending for the postseason.
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Upgrades At Pitching
The Blue Jays have a a potent crop of young prospects that have become established MLB players. The likes of Vlad Guerrero Jr., Cavan Biggio, Bo Bichette, and Lourdes Gurriel Jr. will look to take strides forward in their careers. Meanwhile, the team looked to the free agency market to upgrade their starting rotation.
To start off, they added the reigning NL ERA champion and Cy Young award runner-up. Hyun-Jin Ryu, entering his age-33 season, brings six seasons of experience, including four in the postseason. In 2019, he pitched to a 2.32 ERA and 179 ERA+ with 1.2 BB/9. That minuscule BB/9 aided an astounding K/BB ratio of 6.79.
Tanner Roak, also entering his age-33 season, joins the staff as well. He brings seven seasons of experience and some postseason experience. In 1,100 career innings pitched, Roark brings a 3.71 ERA, a 74-64 record, and a 113 ERA+. All of these stats bode well for the Blue Jays as he should slot in well as a mid-rotation type of starter for the team. While he may not be a bonafide ace, he brings much needed stability.
Finally, the team brought in Chase Anderson via an early-offseason trade. Anderson, entering his age-32 season, and has posted respectable numbers across six MLB seasons. He should slot in well as a middle-to-back-end rotation pitcher. In 857 career innings pitched, he has amassed a 3.94 ERA. His 106 ERA+ shows that he has been a tick above average in his career. He has also shown the ability to strike batters out. His 8.0 K/9 in 2019 was the third season of his career with at least that mark or better.
The Blue Jays are looking to contend again soon. While they have been aggressive in adding to their developing core, they may still be a year away from competing again. Either way, the stability that they have added to their rotation will go a long way in taking them closer to contention.
Main Photo: Embed from Getty Images
