TORONTO – Like different Main League Baseball groups, the Toronto Blue Jays are brimming with optimism going into the season opener.
“I feel we have now a really full workforce,” catcher Alejandro Kirk stated Wednesday by means of an interpreter. “You may see it in spring coaching — a stable lineup, the beginning rotation, the bullpen. I actually assume we’re going to go far this yr.”
Kirk’s optimistic spin, little question enhanced by a five-year US$58-million contract extension introduced this week, shall be put to the take a look at beginning Thursday when the Jays open towards the Baltimore Orioles.
However in essence, the Jays can solely go up after ending final within the American League East final season at 74-88.
New faces this yr embrace veteran starter Max Scherzer, reliever Jeff Hoffman, second baseman Andres Gimenez and outfielder Anthony Santander — a foursome whose contracts characterize a complete funding of US$237.5 million.
Supervisor John Schneider likes what he sees within the new-look clubhouse.
“It’s what you’re all the time trying to find — type of that worth that’s not on the sector however that’s right here day by day,” he stated. “I feel simply the expertise we introduced in and the folks we introduced in. It wasn’t actually by design, I feel it type of simply occurred naturally. However everybody’s type of talking the identical language, from myself to the employees to each single participant, the place they’re fearful about successful each single day.
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“That sounds straightforward to say, straightforward to do however guys are actually dwelling it. Making an attempt to be as close-knit as doable on and off the sector.”
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There are questions, nevertheless, with stars Vladimir Guerrero Jr. and Bo Bichette within the ultimate yr of their contracts.
Schneider denies that uncertainty ratchets up the strain on his workforce to contend this yr,
“There’s all the time strain,” he stated. “If you have a look at us the final handful of years, there’s all the time strain, there’s all the time expectations. Moderately than run from that, I feel you lean into it just a little bit. And everybody will get the place we’re. I feel if we let it have an effect on us and what we’re attempting to do, it results in not our greatest model of baseball.”
Toronto common supervisor Ross Atkins wouldn’t say Wednesday if he had mentioned an extension with Guerrero since his Feb. 18 negotiating window handed, however stated he stays “hopeful” the Jays can re-sign the star slugger.
Jose Berrios, in his third season-opening task for the Jays and the fifth of his profession, takes the mound Thursday towards Zach Eflin and the Orioles.
He leads a rotation that features Scherzer, Gausman, Chris Bassitt and Bowden Francis.
Schneider sees Hoffman as his nearer, or at the least specializing in pitching the eighth or ninth inning. Yimi Garcia can deal with the ninth if Hoffman takes care of the eighth, he added.
Former nearer Jordan Romano is now with the Philadelphia Phillies.
Hoffman went 3-3 with a 2.17 ERA and 10 saves final season with the Philadelphia Phillies, setting profession bests for ERA, saves and appearances (68). The 32-year-old right-hander struck out 89 and walked 16 in 66 1/3 innings, holding opposing hitters to a .197 batting common.
“What I like above Jeff is his mentality, professionalism, consistency and the truth that he has three pitches,” stated Schneider.
The six-foot-five Hoffman was taken within the first spherical (ninth general) by Toronto within the 2014 beginner draft out of East Carolina, however was traded the next yr to Colorado with three different gamers within the deal that introduced star shortstop Troy Tulowitzki to Toronto.
Outfielder Daulton Varsho, who continues his restoration from shoulder surgical procedure, is predicted again in April. Schneider stated he performed in a minor-league recreation in Florida on Wednesday, with a few at-bats however — by design — no throwing from the outfield.
Scherzer, who has been coping with a sore thumb, “continues to be getting into the suitable path” and may begin as scheduled Saturday, barring a setback.
Pitchers Ryan Burr and Erik Swanson additionally proceed their damage rehab, throwing from 90 and 105 ft, respectively Thursday.
Toronto ranked thirteenth within the 15-team American League in dwelling runs final season — and twenty sixth within the majors — with 156, 81 lower than the MLB-leading Yankees. The Jays batted .241 as a workforce, seventh finest within the AL (nineteenth within the majors), and look to enhance beneath new batting coach David Popkins.
Toronto’s earned-run common of 4.29 ranked eleventh within the American League (twenty second within the majors).
The Jays face a congested begin to the season with 20 video games in 21 days.
The opening stretch options dwelling collection towards Baltimore and Washington adopted by journeys to the New York Mets, Boston Purple Sox and Baltimore Orioles earlier than returning to Rogers Centre to host the Atlanta Braves.
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This report by The Canadian Press was first printed March 26, 2025.
© 2025 The Canadian Press
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