The Blue Jays have had one of the most disappointing starts in the league so far this season, entering play today with just a 19-24 record that leaves them at the bottom of the AL East, more than ten games back of the Yankees for the division crown. As noted by Sportsnet's Ben Nicholson-Smith, club GM Ross Atkins spoke to reporters on the field before today's game against the Rays about the club's difficult start and the way forward. Atkins admitted the club's struggles will not continue if they hope to have a successful season, as he expressed confidence in the club's internal options.
“We believe in this talent,” Atkins said. “There is still time, but there is a great sense of urgency and we need to change it soon.”
It's easy to see why the club is struggling at the top when you look at the pool of talent on both sides of the ball. Toronto's bats rank third in the AL with a combined wRC+ of 93, which is a far cry from last year's 107. Making matters worse is a struggling pitching staff that has posted a 4.45 ERA this season that is good for fourth among all AL clubs. While the club's rotation has a respectable 4.15 ERA that is well within the league average range, they have been dragged down by atrocious bullpen play that has left the club's pitchers with a combined 4.92 ERA better than the Angels and Rangers. all MLB clubs.
Given the club's deep struggles in all aspects of the game, there is plenty of room for improvement both internally and externally throughout the roster. That being said, significant trades early in the season are rare. Although it is not completely unknown, like the last change you posted Luis Arraez from the Marlins to the Padres shows, notable deals at this point in the calendar often require the buying team to pay a fee to convince the selling club not to wait out the market in hopes of a bidding war near the deadline. . Atkins acknowledged that fact, but as he did so he refused to close the door on making a move if necessary.
“If we can get a player at the moment, obviously he pays a lot. We can do that. We have players we will trade to get that level of talent,” Atkins said, as noted by Nicholson-Smith. “We [presently] I feel that the best contributions that can create that change in scoring runs will come from within our clubhouse or triple-A, with the players that are there. But the dialogue is strong in other ways that might be possible. “
That the Blue Jays believe they have the necessary pieces to jump on the trade market is a significant development, and it's easy to see why an aggressive move early in the calendar would make sense for the club. While the team's performance on the field this year may not show it, Toronto is clearly in winning mode now with a catcher. Danny Jansen is set to become a free agent after the 2024 campaign with key pieces such as Bo Bichette, Jordan Romanoagain Vladimir Guerrero Jr. he has been offered an open market ticket for the following season. Hypothetically speaking, acquiring more talent before the trade season would not only give the club a better chance to win this year, but also allow them to recoup some of the money spent on acquiring that talent later this summer if the team's struggles continue and the playoffs appear out of reach by late July.
At least for now, however, it appears that Atkins and the Blue Jays appear to be content with internal development. That could come both in the form of strong production from key pieces like Bichette, Romano, George Springeragain Kevin Gausman, all of which have struggled this year, but Atkins also acknowledged the farm system as a potential source of domestic production. The one who plays outside Nathan Lukesa football player Orelvis Martinezand first baseman Spencer Horwitz they are all on the 40-man roster and have enjoyed success in Triple-A so far this season.
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