03-24-2024 MLB Preview - Flipbook - Page 18
MLB ’24 AL EAST PREVIEW TORONTO BLUE JAYS
Sunday, March 24, 2024 18
2023: 89-73, third place, lost to Minnesota in Wild Card Series | Manager: John Schneider (third season) | Opening Day: March 28 at Tampa Bay
OVERVIEW
TOP HITTERS
1B Vladimir Guerrero Jr. (.264, 26 HRs, 94 RBIs, .788 OPS), SS Bo
Bichette (.306, 20, 73, .814 OPS), DH Justin Turner (.276, 23, 96,
.800 OPS with Boston), RF George Springer (.258, 21, 72, .732
OPS), C Danny Jansen (.228, 17, 53, .786 OPS in 83 games).
PROJECTED ROTATION
RH Chris Bassitt (16-8, 3.60, career-high 200 IP, tied for AL lead in
wins), RH José Berríos (11-12, 3.65), LH Yusei Kikuchi (11-6, 3.86),
RH Alek Manoah (3-9, 5.87 in 19 starts).
ONE TO WATCH
RH Kevin Gausman
(12-9, 3.16 ERA,
AL-leading 237 Ks)
KEY RELIEVERS
RH Jordan Romano (5-7, 2.90 ERA, 36/40 saves, 72 Ks in 59 IP), RH
Chad Green (3-0, 5.25 in 12 games after returning from Tommy
John surgery), RH Erik Swanson (4-2, 2.97, 4 saves), RH Yimi Garcia (3-4, 4.09, 3 saves).
OUTLOOK
The Blue Jays earned their third wild-card berth in four seasons in
2023, only to be swept out of a third straight October. As Guerrero
and Bichette edge closer to free agency, which both could reach
following the 2025 World Series, the pressure mounts for the
Blue Jays to capitalize on whatever remaining time
they have with those two stars. Four pitchers made
30 or more starts last season for Toronto, while
Manoah slumped from AL Cy Young Award
finalist to minor leaguer. Manoah has
battled shoulder soreness this spring,
jeopardizing his chances of making
the opening-day roster. Gausman
has been slowed by shoulder
fatigue, but said he’ll be ready for
the regular season. Guerrero has
endured consecutive years of
decline since finishing runner-up
in 2021 AL MVP voting. If he
and Bichette both deliver, and
the starting rotation remains
healthy and effective, Toronto’s
recent run of empty Octobers
could come to an end.
— Associated Press
CHARLIE
NEIBERGALL/AP
HE’S HERE
DH Justin Turner (left), OF/INF Isiah Kiner-Falefa, 1B Joey Votto, RHP Yariel Rodríguez, LHP Brendon Little,
DH Daniel Vogelbach, INF Eduardo Escobar.
HE’S OUTTA HERE
3B Matt Chapman, LHP Hyun Jin Ryu, 2B Whit Merrifield, DH Brandon Belt, RHP Jordan Hicks, RHP Adam Cimber,
RHP Jay Jackson.
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