Blue Jays Morning Brew: The Tigers who cried Wolf

We’re back to Blue Jays baseball today as Toronto kicks off a three game set against the Los Angeles Angels. After splitting their miniseries with the Philadelphia Phillies, the Blue Jays are looking to find their groove again. They just didn’t look “right”, but in baseball, tomorrows are abundant. It’s a late start tonight on the west coast, so put on the coffee! The first cup is on us in the Morning Brew.

Jays trade Wolf  –  The Blue Jays finally made their decision with Randy Wolf late Thursday, one that was expected to come to a head over the past week. Wolf was traded to the Detroit Tigers for cash considerations, and will reportedly start on Saturday in place of the injured Daniel Norris. While Toronto’s pitching depth leaves much to be desired, Wolf has earned this opportunity and should be given our full support. Ben Nicholson-Smith broke the deal. 


Osuna beating the odds  –  The Globe and Mail’s Robert MacLeod takes a great look at the premature success of Jays closer Roberto Osuna. Even teammate LaTroy Hawkins, a man who’s seen everything in professional baseball, is impressed. “Being 20 years old, and not just pitching in the big leagues but closing in the big leagues – and being successful at doing it – is putting him in a whole other category.”

More from Toronto Blue Jays News

• Matt Chapman has been exactly what the Blue Jays needed
• Blue Jays: The goalposts are moving in the right direction
• Single-A Dunedin Blue Jays advance to the Championship Series
• Blue Jays: Comparisons for Alek Manoah’s Second Season
• Blue Jays: Adam Cimber, the unlikely decision King

What stood out most to me though is a quote from Osuna on his first time pitching with the Blue Jays after being signed out of Mexico at age 16. “I remember my second day in Florida. one of the pitching coaches asked me what was my name,” Osuna told MacLeod. “And I said, ‘Okay.’ That was my answer because that’s all I heard everybody saying – okay, okay.”

Just four years ago, Osuna was a struggling teenager who told coaches that his name was “Okay”. Not a word of English was in his vocabulary. Today, his English is fluid, and his pitching is unmatched.

Stroman surging?  –  Ian Hunter of Blue Jays Hunter caught an interesting update from Marcus Stroman‘s recovery on Wednesday. In the world of social media, theses don’t always come from where you might think. Actor Kevin Connely tweeted Stroman asking when he’d be back on the hill. Stroman’s response? “Sooner than you think.” I like it!

Tulo over Jeter?  –  As S.L. Price writes in this week’s edition of Sports Illustrated, Yankees GM Brian Cashman and start shortstop Derek Jeter hurt their relationship in 2010 when, during contract negotiations, Jeter asked Cashman which shortstop in the league he’d rather have. (Wow, the Golden Boy is even humble! #R2spect)

“Do you really want me to answer that?” Cashman replied. Jeter told him to go ahead, and he listed Tulowitzki, then the Rockies’ shortstop who was in the midst of his first All-Star campaign. “We’re not paying extra money for popularity,” he added, “We’re paying for performance.” Boom. Roasted.

Next: Blue Jays need to get Russell Martin right

More from Jays Journal

• Matt Chapman has been exactly what the Blue Jays needed
• Blue Jays: The goalposts are moving in the right direction
• Single-A Dunedin Blue Jays advance to the Championship Series
• Blue Jays: Comparisons for Alek Manoah’s Second Season
• Blue Jays: Adam Cimber, the unlikely decision King