Blue Jays AL East Recap: Jays limp out of the break

Each week, Jays Journal will take a look at the bigger picture of the AL East to help frame not only where the Blue Jays are in the standings, but why they are there.

Baltimore Orioles: 53-37
Boston Red Sox: 51-39
Toronto Blue Jays: 52-42
New York Yankees: 45-46
Tampa Bay Rays: 35-56

The Blue Jays did not start off of the right foot after the break. Barely avoiding a sweep at the hands of the lowly Athletics, the Blue Jays fell to three games back in the division and one game back from the top Wild Card spot.

Despite this, the alleviated week allowed the Jays to still hold onto the second Wild Card spot. The Blue Jays rotation and pen were the big factors this week. With both Dickey and Stroman regressing after multiple solid starts before the break, their future performances will go a long way in determining the Blue Jays’ future.

The bullpen did no help either, looking more like the weak band of arms they looked like in April, not the solid staff they looked like in late June.

It was not all negatives for the Jays tough. J.A. Happ is apparently fine after being hit with a scary come-backer during Sunday’s game. Marco Estrada is also set to return from the disabled list in time to begin the weekend set against the Mariners at home. The Jays made some transactional news lately by extending Justin Smoak for two years and $8.25 million. A fine investment, but not one anyone was expecting

Final Takeaway:

The Blue Jays can go a long way if their bullpen and the back end of the rotation can stabilize and find success. The offence and front end staff can take care of the rest. With the potential that little or no help comes before the trade deadline, the Blue Jays may need to improve from within.

Next: Baltimore holds on to the crown

Boston hits the market early

Boston Red Sox: 51-39

The Red Sox wasted no time in augmenting their team during the break. After adding Brad Ziegler from the Diamond Backs, they acquired All Star Drew Pomeranz from the Padres.

These moves augmented the back end of their rotation and found a veteran reliever to alleviate the absence of ace closer Craig Kimbrel. The Red Sox then hit the ground running, winning two of three against the Rival Yankees. This allowed them to keep pace with the Orioles, and remain a mere two games back of the top slot.

The Red Sox struck at the right time, as they will face a two game set against the NL’s best, the San Francisco Giants. They then should be able to cruise into the weekend with a three game set against the Twins.

Boston’s deep prospect capital and financial flexibility could allow for Dave Dombrowski and Mike Hazen to be among baseball’s busiest executives later this month.

Final Takeaway:

This week will be crucial for the Red Sox as they will have to prove that their additions and challenge the Orioles for the division crown. Facing some of baseball’s best and worst in one week, the Red Sox could make quite a profound statement during the next seven days.

Next: The Yankees do their thing

Yankees remain average

New York Yankees: 45-46

It has been quite a few weeks since the Yankees have found themselves solidly above average. This was not one of those weeks.

The Yankees took a series loss against the rival Red Sox and begin the week with a three game set against the division leading Orioles. The Yankees desperately needed to come out of the break swinging, and they have so far failed to do that. Despite cracking Red Sox ace David Price, the Yankees sit 8.5 games outside of first, and trail six other teams for the American League’s second Wild Card spot.

The Yankees possess many sought-after bullpen arms, and if they cannot capitalize on the “all or nothing” stakes of the upcoming series, they could see their season slip away.

That is not necessarily bad for the Yankees as they can flip impending free agent Aroldis Chapman for an asset, and then still potentially land him in the off season.

Final Takeaway:

The Yankees have plenty of options for their future, but their present situation is at stake. Despite the brilliance they sometimes showed in the Spring, that has faded away to a team that is struggling to stay at .500. These next two weeks will be make or break for them.

Next: Tampa Bay looking to rebuild

Rays see positives amid losses

Tampa Bay Rays: 35-56

Any hope the Rays might have had about coming out of the break on the right track were dispatched after they took a series loss against the Orioles. They enter Monday almost 19 games back of first place, the second biggest deficit in the American League.

There is no doubt that the Rays will be sellers before the trade deadline. There is simply too much ground to make up and not enough time.

The Rays have a strong group of players, and do not need any trades to completely clean house. Instead, the Rays can be smart about their assets and depth and plan for the future. If they get truly promising returns on an offer for starters, such as Jake Odorizzi, they can choose to take them.

Their biggest trade chip might be with closer Alex Colome. He has held the ninth inning well for the Rays while veteran Brad Boxberger has been sidelined with an injury. The Rays could easily flip him and manage the ninth with their deep bullpen while they wait for Boxberger to return to the fold.

Next: Blue Jays may need a creative deadline approach

Final Takeaway:

While the Rays’ season is over, the team they have in place has the ability to be one of Baseball’s best. With smart and cautious deals at the deadline, and a rebound from their rotation. The Rays could very well be buyers a year from now.