Blue Jays 2015 Year End Awards: Biggest Surprise

Oct 19, 2015; Toronto, Ontario, CAN; Fans applaud Toronto Blue Jays starting pitcher Marcus Stroman (6) as he leaves the game seventh inning in game three of the ALCS against the Kansas City Royals at Rogers Centre. Mandatory Credit: Dan Hamilton-USA TODAY Sports

The entire season that the Blue Jays just had could be considered surprising. Which aspect was the biggest surprise though?

The J.J. YEAs are coming to a close. Surely a surprise to all who thought they would go on daily until the victory parade raged down Yonge Street. The final award will be given to the player or aspect of the 2015 season that was the biggest surprise. Unsurprisingly, the writing staff of Jays Journal could not agree on the Biggest Surprise. Hence, surprise! Five players or events will be recapped on the ensuing pages!

A few of these players have been talked about already during the awards season, hence their inclusion here will come as no surprise. Will there still be a surprise sprung by a couple of the choices here? Perhaps. Or perhaps the word “surprise” has lost all meaning by this point. Maybe that was the biggest surprise of all. OK, that was the last one. Let’s move on to the honorees.

Honorable Mention: Kevin Pillar

Pillar has been mentioned during this series of awards articles almost as often as the words “surprise” in the paragraphs. His comeback from his bat-slamming incident last year has been driven by his hustling nature, and it led to a vastly improved season. The most surprising thing about his season is that he had the chance to play as often as he did.

Pillar was supposed to be the fourth outfielder, but the injury to Michael Saunders pushed him into the lineup. Once he was there he made sure he wasn’t going to leave it, his defense proving invaluable to the team. As he slid over to take center field duties, his amazing range was expanded and the outfield defense that had been a liability in prior seasons was now a strength. The man who was supposed to be a backup ended up leading the Blue Jays by appearing in 159 games this season. He also delivered another surprise, with good and bad implications, in September…

Next: Honorable Mention: A Surprise Late Entry to the Team

Honorable Mention: Roberto Osuna

The 20-year-old from the state of Sinaloa wasn’t expected to be a factor for the big league ball club in 2015, but he surprised everyone by making the squad out of spring training. The more talented of the two boys in the pen, as well as the more polished and poised, Osuna soon moved up the ranks in the bullpen hierarchy to take over the closing gig in June.

He was good enough to win the J.J. Rookie of the Year award, but finished a distant fourth in the actual voting. The surprising thing was that he was being considered for a rotation spot in 2016. Osuna was too valuable in a bullpen that needs every live arm can get. The acquisition of Jesse Chavez should put an end to that notion and allow the Little Cannon to pitch from a comfortable spot in 2016.

Runner Up: Chris Colabello

A second straight runner-up finish for Colabello, who was lost amidst the sea of waiver claims made in the off-season last year. The Blue Jays expected someone who could provide depth in the organization and be a spare bat if needed. What they got was a bat just a shade below the Big Three in terms of value.

Colabello’s stick was worth 19 runs above a replacement-level bat, good enough for fourth on the team. His batting average led the squad at .321 and his OPS+ was just behind Jose Bautista (142 vs. 149). His glove was not fit for the field of play but when combined with fellow waiver claimee Justin Smoak, their WAR equaled 2.0. What was expected to be a tough spot to fill following the departure of Adam Lind was handled deftly by the two first baseman, but Smoak was the primary candidate to be the starter. Colabello forced his way into the discussion with his bat.

Next: 2015 Biggest Surprise: For Long Time Blue Jays Fans, This Won't Be A Surprise

2015 Biggest Surprise: The Trade Deadline to End All Deadlines

Surprisingly, Alex Anthopoulos is unable to be in Toronto to accept this award. Tony LaCava will have to take it in his stead.

Too often during previous deadlines, fans would sit and watch competitors make moves to fortify their rosters while the Blue Jays brass sat back and watched the playoff chances slowly disappear. Given that the last attempt to make deadline trades to make the post-season push resulted in Esteban Loaiza coming to town, it can be understood why the Jays regimes wanted to wait and make sure they had the proper team in place before going for it.

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But the wait was long and painful. Instead of acquiring players, fans had to bid farewell to favored sons and disgruntled veterans. Names like Juan Guzman, Shannon Stewart, Eric Hinske, Scott Rolen and Aaron Hill all left for greener pastures around the waiver and non-waiver deadlines. Even when the Blue Jays were close, like in 2014, they refused to make a move splashier than Danny Valencia. Given Rogers Media’s reluctance to spend money on this team at the deadline, it was a wonder if they would ever use that war-chest of prospects to properly reinforce the team.

Then Troy Tulowitzki happened. I was in the first hour of my night shift when my phone buzzed and I went to see why my podcasts were interrupted. When I saw the report that Tulowitzki was on the way North, I nearly gagged on my Coke Zero. I couldn’t concentrate for a solid hour after that. I took all my allotted breaks early to try to get info on who was going where and how this move was possible. I was glued to my phone over Blue Jays news. It was inconceivable.

The fact that Tulowitzki had been acquired made it all the more shocking that David Price was acquired just two days later.  Similar feelings hit fellow writer Sam Bruce. He said in casting his vote, “I remember having to take a moment to sit down at work after I got the news. [It was] totally unexpected, and in that moment it felt like anything was possible.” The Blue Jays had hope. What a novel concept.

Next: Which J.J. YEA does this link lead to? It's a surprise!

The Blue Jays were expected to take the division after making those trades, as well as the moves for Mark Lowe and Ben Revere. What was surprising was how quickly the Yankees were reeled in after that. Was decimating the team’s pitching depth, especially among left-handers, worth it for a run that was cut short in the ALCS. The fact that question is even being asked is part of the biggest surprise of 2015.