Blue Jays Morning Brew: Bautista, Ramirez, Otani and more

Your Toronto Blue Jays news and notes for Monday, September 18th including updates on Jose Bautista, Carlos Ramirez, Shohei Otani and more.

Bautista Chasing Dubious Distinction

The Toronto Blue Jays and Jose Bautista are poised to go their separate ways this offseason, however, Bautista may break a couple of unfortunate Blue Jays franchise records before doing so. The slugger has struck out a career-high 156 times this season just 3 whiffs back from the franchise mark set by both Jose Canseco and Kelly Johnson. Bautista has managed to still slug 22 round trippers while his average is hunkered around the Mendoza Line.

Ramirez Completely Unhittable

Reliever Carlos Ramirez has undoubtedly punched his ticket for a place with the big club’s bullpen in 2018. The former outfielder turned pitcher has still yet to surrender a run all season including 7 relief appearances with the Jays.

Ramirez has fanned 10 while only surrendering 1 hit in his first 7 major league appearances while devastating right-handed batters along the way. Prior to his September promotion, Ramirez had made 25 scoreless appearances between New Hampshire and Buffalo. The hurler hasn’t given up a run since July 14th, 2016.

Blue Jays Interested In Shohei Otani

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• Single-A Dunedin Blue Jays advance to the Championship Series
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• Blue Jays: Adam Cimber, the unlikely decision King

The Blue Jays are still rumoured to be interested in Japanese star Shoei Otani who is likely to be posted this offseason. The Jays have done their due diligence on the young phenom who is said to be close friends with former Jays fan favourite Munenori Kawasaki.

Although most prognosticators feel the Jays will be outbid in the Otani sweepstakes, they have definitely put in the legwork on Otani and should be at the negotiating table at least in the beginning.

Donaldson Murders Two Baseball’s Versus Twins

Josh Donaldson connected for two monster home run into the upper deck at Target Field this past weekend. Statcast measured the first one at 447 feet with a 107.9 exit velocity and a launch angle of 28 degrees.

Yesterday’s mammoth shot went ever further estimated at 481 feet. Both epic moonshots no matter how you measure it.

Next: Blue Jays: It’s time to start extension talks with Stroman

This concludes another edition of the Morning Brew stay tuned tomorrow as the Jays and Marcus Stroman kick off a series with the Kansas City Royals.