Blue Jays: Reasons for Optimism in a Time of Trouble

It’s that time of the baseball year where fans are supposed to get excited for the future, but it seems more like a time of trouble and hopelessness for Blue Jays fans. Here are some reasons for optimism that will hopefully cheer you up in time for the holidays.

Josh Donaldson

An MVP-caliber player entering his contract year. Forget about his contract situation and just enjoy what the Bringer of Rain has to offer in 2018. And who knows, maybe the Blue Jays will surprise us all and resign him this winter.

Marcus Stroman

Few teams have the luxury of having a young, passionate, and energetic ace who can log 200 innings while being in the thick of the Cy Young conversation. He’s 26, controlled for three more years, and is only going to get better. Height Doesn’t Measure Heart.

The Return of Aaron Sanchez

In 2016, Aaron Sanchez had a 3.00 ERA in 192 innings while winning 15 games for the Blue Jays. Yes, 2017 was a season to forget, but if Sanchez can just get those blister issues figured out (or if the MLB stops juicing the baseballs), then the Blue Jays have themselves a one-two punch at the front of their rotation that can rival any in baseball. Worst case scenario, Sanchez is forced to the bullpen and the Blue Jays instead get an elite reliever to shut down games alongside Roberto Osuna.

The Most Athletic Outfield in the Game?

In 2018, the Blue Jays have a chance to run out an outfield of Kevin Pillar, Anthony Alford, and Teoscar Hernandez. Gone are the days of Steve Pearce and Jose Bautista as a duo flanking the corner outfield. Instead? Be prepared to enjoy three young, talented, and energetic players that will immediately make a difference on both sides of the game with their speed and raw athleticism. While Pillar has shown limited offensive abilities, Alford and Hernandez have a true chance of becoming above average hitters. Pearce will likely start the season as the left fielder, but there will come a time with this speedy trio will be out there together, and it should be exciting to watch.

Roberto Osuna

The Blue Jays have the luxury of being able to give the ball in the ninth inning to one of the best young closers in the game today. In a so-called “down year”, Osuna pitched 64 innings to the tune of a 3.38 ERA while saving 39 games. Remember, Osuna had to pitch in the WBC in 2017 which shortens the time a pitcher has to prepare for the season. With lessons learned in 2017 and more time to prepare for a full season, expect to see an even better Roberto Osuna in 2018. For opposing teams, that’s just scary. For Blue Jays fans, Osuna Matata.

Justin Smoak

If someone told you at the beginning of the 2017 season, “Justin Smoak will have a better year than Edwin Encarnacion” you probably would have laughed at the thought. Fast forward one year later, and Justin Smoak has evolved into one of the best first baseman in all of baseball, and he indeed outperformed Edwin Encarnacion by some measures in 2017 (3.2 bWAR vs 2.8 bWAR). Furthermore, in an age where Pablo Sandoval is getting over 17 million dollars a year to do absolutely nothing, the Blue Jays have Smoak under contract for another two years at a grand total of 10.125 million dollars.

Vladimir Guerrero Jr., Bo Bichette, et al

Through smart drafting, international signings, and remarkable trading, Mark Shapiro and Ross Atkins have quickly rebuilt the farm system that Alex Anthopoulos decimated with trades before he left. Now boasting a top 10 farm system that features Guerrero Jr. (who was signed before their arrival) and Bo Bichette, some of baseball’s top prospects, Blue Jays fans can be excited for the future – a new era of exciting baseball at the Rogers Centre.

It Shouldn’t Be World Series or Bust

To put it bluntly, Blue Jays fans have been spoiled the past few years with teams that had the expectation of bringing a World Series title back to Toronto. But ask yourselves this: how important, really, is a World Series title?

In my opinion, Blue Jays fans should throw away the notion of “World Series or Bust”. I would much rather have consistent seasons of winning and reaching the post season, versus years of miserable baseball that yields two or three runs at being the best team in the MLB (and then, to have to start over again).

The Blue Jays’ young nucleus paired with the upcoming prospects have a true chance of being a consistent winner. Furthermore, the front office seems to be very adamant of putting a playoff-caliber team on the field every season – otherwise, they would’ve traded Josh Donaldson by now.

Next: How do the Blue Jays reaction to the Stanton news?

So in closing, try and feel optimistic about your Toronto Blue Jays. Try not to blame the Blue Jays for not signing a Jake Arrieta or a J.D. Martinez, but instead, appreciate the fact that the front office is trying their best to put a winning team on the field for the present and for the foreseeable future. It’s not all about winning the World Series – just enjoy, and trust the process.