The Toronto Blue Jays management is criticized for their poor decisions regarding acquiring players. There’s been discussion that the Blue Jays need to spend the money on the right players. It’s not that they haven’t, but for the upcoming 2024 season, they need to focus on spending their money wisely. The Blue Jays management (Ross Atkins & Mark Shapiro) boldly traded Gabriel Moreno and Lourdes Gurriel Jr. in the offseason of 2022 to acquire Daulton Varsho. While this was a good trade, and Varsho is a valuable, skilled player with excellent defense, speed, and bunting, the Blue Jays did not win. Also, considering that the Arizona Diamondbacks are in the World Series, it points fingers at management.
Blue Jays Management Must Make Better Decisions for 2024 Season
Texas Rangers & Arizona Diamondbacks
This is officially a Gabi Moreno fan account now. pic.twitter.com/J9LDgdZAMY
— Arizona Diamondbacks (@Dbacks) October 29, 2023
Gabriel Moreno is tearing it up in the postseason with four home runs and 10 RBI. As for Gurriel Jr., he has two home runs, seven RBI, and two stolen bases in the postseason. Both showcase their strength, making Blue Jays fans feel nostalgic. But everyone is routing for both of them and is happy they are doing well. When it comes down to it, it is not always about spending a lot of money to acquire players. The Blue Jays spent 209 million this season, and the Texas Rangers spent $195 million.
The Blue Jays had a top-10 payroll in 2023. They finished behind Baltimore (28th) and Tampa (29th) in standings and were swept by the Minnesota Twins in the playoffs this season. Both the Rangers and Diamondbacks ranked 11th and 21st. The New York Mets also spent a lot more money than anyone this season, and their season did not turn out well.
Put Your Money Where Your Mouth Is
#BlueJays Offseason ⚾️🧵1⃣
Where'd the Power Go?Included:
Theories, ISO, Pull Rates, Key Players, Bat Speed, Attack Angles & QuestionsLet's start here:
"ISO" – Isolated Power (Slugging Pct – Batting Avg)
Blue Jays MLB Rank2021 1st
2022 7th
2023 18thHow did this happen? pic.twitter.com/kYK9nWyyX5
— Chris Black (@DownToBlack) October 30, 2023
It’s not about spending money but what you spend it on. The Blue Jays picked up Paul DeJong during the trade deadline this season, only to release him. This trade did not look good on management after, as they barely kept him. While the reason behind acquiring Paul DeJong was for defense and because Bo Bichette was on the injured list, this wasn’t an intelligent trade. Also, considering that DeJong didn’t play well, and the Blue Jays were not a right fit for him. The Blue Jays should have made wiser choices during the trade deadline. The Blue Jays 2023 offense cannot compare to the Diamondbacks and Rangers. Players like Adolis Garcia and Corey Seager are players that the Blue Jays could learn a lot from and have been playing like all-stars, especially in the playoffs this season.
Will the Blue Jays Learn the Lesson?
Things need to change if the Blue Jays want to make a statement. Management must make better decisions if they want to be taken seriously in 2024. Please take the 2023 season and use it as a lesson. They have many skilled players, such as Chris Bassitt, Jose Berrios, and Bo Bichette. They play with a lot of urgency, energy, and determination. If the Jays can pick up players that will help them win games and make a push for October baseball in 2024, it will be an exciting team to watch. Along with their young talent, if they can work on issues such as RISP, the team will look a lot different from 2023. Everyone is also waiting to see what will happen with all the Blue Jays’ free agents and where they will end up.
Main Photo Credits: Nick Turchiaro-USA TODAY Sports
