Toronto Blue Jays 2023 Season Preview

Photo by Mark Blinch/Getty Images

March 30, 2023

The 2022 MLB season is underway. It’s the time of the year when many are optimistic about their teams and looking forward to a summer of fond memories. The Toronto Blue Jays are a team that is particularly optimistic about the season ahead and eying a big leap in the American League.

The Blue Jays have been one of the up-and-coming teams in baseball. After winning 91 games in 2021 and missing the postseason by one game, they won 92 games last year to reach the Wild Card. The next step for the Blue Jays is to win the World Series. They haven’t done so since 1993 but they have a roster that can contend for a title this year.

Blue Jays Roster: The Future is Now

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The Blue Jays are led by one of the best young lineups in baseball. Vladimir Guerrero Jr., Alejandro Kirk, and Bo Bichette are all 25 years old or younger and fuel the heart of the lineup. The trio combined for 70 home runs last year and 807 total bases as a powerful group that makes the batting order tough to stop.

To round out the lineup, the Blue Jays signed George Springer in the 2021 offseason, who is one of the best leadoff hitters in the game. Springer slashed .267/.342/.472 last season with 25 home runs to provide not only power but also some much-needed contact to start up the lineup. The Blue Jays also acquired Matt Chapman last offseason and Daulton Varsho this offseason to help add depth to the batting order. Chapman is known for his fielding at third base but he slashed .229/.324/.433 with 27 home runs last year and looks to put together another strong season at the plate. Likewise, Varsho is coming off a breakout year, and the 26-year-old looks to remain an elite bat in the back half of the lineup

Can the Pitching Keep Up

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The question with the Blue Jays is going to be their starting pitching. Alek Manoah is the ace of the staff and coming off a year where he had 180 strikeouts in 196.2 innings pitched while allowing only 55 runs. The hope is that Mahoah, who led the team with a 6.0 WAR, is here to stay and can continue to lead the staff. After him is where the Blue Jays’ pitching is put into question. Kevin Gausman has been a reliable split-finger starter who hopes to build off a team-high 205 strikeouts. Chris Bassitt is coming off a breakout year with the New York Mets but can he keep it up in the new setting?

Then comes the backend of the rotation. Jose Berrios had a miserable 2022 season, allowing 103 runs in only 172 innings pitched and it’s unclear if he can return to the form that was seen back in 2019 when he was with the Minnesota Twins. The Blue Jays also lack a fifth starter that can put the rotation together. If Manoah or Gausman deal with injuries or setbacks, the promising season can quickly unravel.

The bullpen is highlighted by closer Jordan Romano who had 36 saves last season and allowed only 18 runs in 64 innings. However, the bullpen also has reliable arms to get the ball to Romano with Erik Swanson, Yimi García, and Adam Cimber available on any given day.

Optimal Blue Jays Lineup

George Springer – Center Fielder
Bo Bichette – Shortstop
Vladimir Guerrero Jr. – First Baseman
Alejandro Kirk – Designated Hitter / Catcher
Matt Chapman – Third Baseman
Daulton Varsho – Catcher / Outfielder
Whit Merrifield – Second Baseman
Kevin Kiermaier – Left Fielder
Cavan Biggio – Utility Fielder

Optimal Blue Jays Pitching

Alek Manoah
Kevin Gausman
Chris Bassitt
Jose Berrios
Yusei Kikuchi

Jordan Romano – Closer
Erik Swanson – Reliever
Yimi García – Reliever
Adam Cimber – Reliever

Expectations for the Blue Jays

The Blue Jays have made it clear in recent years that they are here to stay. This year, they have a team that can win the American League East Division and ends the year with the best record in the league. The division is still the New York Yankees‘ one to lose. However, the Blue Jays will be in the mix this season among the elite teams.