3 Toronto Blue Jays New Year resolutions for 2024

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Happy New Year, from everyone associated with Jays Journal. Here's hoping that 2024 proves to be a positive year for one and all, including the Toronto Blue Jays.

In this respect, last year was one which started off with promise and hope for the Blue Jays, but ultimately ended in disappointment. In some respects, you can make the case that the team is at a crossroads entering the New Year.

The question is, what will it take for Toronto's finest to go from being a peripheral contender to a genuine one? Here are three New Year resolutions, which can help the Blue Jays make that jump:

1) Turn the corner on offense

The difference between the 2021 and 2023 campaigns was like night and day, when it came to production with the bat. Last season really was a disappointment, when considering the offensive talent on the roster.

In 2021, the Blue Jays were a force to be reckoned with for the rest of Major League Baseball. Among other things, they led the way in home runs, slugging percentage and OPS.

In addition, the Blue Jays finished second among all teams in hits and batting average, and third in runs. In one of the great 'what-ifs' in franchise history, they missed out on a wild card spot by just one game.

Now compare this offensive display to last season, when the Blue Jays were an underachieving disappointment. They were ranked 16th in home runs and RBI, 13th in slugging percentage and 11th in OPS.

As a result of all this, the Blue Jays finished just tied-14th in runs scored. Yes they made the playoffs unlike in 2021, but were swept in Minnesota after managing just one run overall in two games.

Alluding to the potential of this team, they did finish tied-sixth in hits and tied-eighth in batting average. However, more is needed, with Vladimir Guerrero Jr. in many ways being the poster boy in all of this.

Guerrero was a monster in 2021, leading the league in homers, total bases and runs. He also led the AL in OBP, slugging percentage, OPS and OPS+, resulting in him finishing second in MVP voting behind a certain Shohei Ohtani.

Since then however, the three-time All-Star has failed to build on this. Yes he led qualifying Blue Jays in home runs, RBI and OBP last season, but he's still capable of so much more.

The Blue Jays need to focus on returning somewhere closer to their offensive production of 2021. If they manage to, this will compliment an excellent pitching staff and defence, thus making them a dangerous team and genuine contender come playoff time.

2) Make a big signing

For a short time on Friday Dec. 8, it seemed as if the Blue Jays had hit the mother lode. Ohtani was apparently on a plane to Toronto, to sign with Canada's Major League Baseball team.

However, any jubilation among fans were soon replaced by a sinking feeling, with counter-reports stating the two-time AL MVP was still in California. He subsequently signed with the Dodgers in a monster 10-year, $700M deal, to remove any remaining hope.

At this point the Blue Jays couldn't even swivel towards Juan Soto, who had already been traded to the Yankees. Soon after the Dodgers swooped again, to signing free agent Japanese pitching sensation Yoshinobu Yamamoto.

As a result of all this, the overriding sentiment was that whoever the Blue Jays did sign or trade for, it would still feel like a disappointing offseason for the fans. Although the team didn't help themselves, with the subsequent underwhelming addition of Isiah Kiner-Falefa.

The Blue Jays have also re-signed Kevin Kiermaier, but as tremendous as he is -- specifically defensively -- it still isn't enough. However, there is still hope for the team.

As per the attempts to sign Ohtani, we know there is plenty of money in the coffers to make a big splash, albeit not quite as big. This is simply due to no other player being capable of bringing in as much revenue as the four-time All-MLB First Team selection.

Regardless, Cody Bellinger is still available and would certainly represent a big addition. They could even look to target a reunion with Teoscar Hernández, who despite his issues with strikeouts last season, is still productive; signing one or both of these players would certainly boost the offence.

In addition, as strong as the pitching already is, the Blue Jays could easily afford to sign last year's NL Cy Young winner Blake Snell. Overall, the point is there are still enough quality options out there to make this a successful offseason in Toronto.

3) Pick your places for analytics

Apologies in advance for taking Blue Jays fans back to a painful memory. However, the main reason for this particular New Year resolution is what happened during Game 2 of the Wild Card series versus the Twins.

José Berríos had started well in Minnesota, as the Blue Jays looked to tie up their three-game series. Through three innings he was firing on all cylinders, striking out five and allowing just three hits.

Then, after allowing a lead-off walk in the bottom of the fourth, the inexplicable decision was made to take Berríos out of the game. As much as the subsequent loss was on the offence rather than the pitching, the decision understandably frustrated and annoyed Blue Jays players and fans alike.

The main reason for this was down to the timing of the decision to remove Berríos. Eventually, manager John Schneider took the blame, but there are many who question if he really was the one pulling the strings.

Of more importance, this one decision to take out Berríos highlighted the Blue Jays' (over) reliance on analytics. There was simply no other explanation for removing a starting pitcher who was throwing extremely well.

If ever there was a case for trusting your own eyes rather than going with analytics, this was it. There really was no justified reason for what Schneider, Ross Atkins or whoever ultimately decided to do.

This is not to say there isn't a place for analytics in the world of baseball, with statistics long being a significant part of the game. However, baseball and professional sports in general, are also about instinct and trusting your gut feeling.

Next. 4 Blue Jays on the trade block after the Kiner-Falefa signing. 4 Blue Jays on the trade block after the Kiner-Falefa signing. dark

Ultimately, there is a time and place for everything, but it's about finding that right balance between going with the information and just judging the moment as a singular event. If nothing else, fans will hope the outcome in Minnesota serves as a useful lesson for the Blue Jays moving forward.

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1) Turn the corner on offense

2) Make a big signing

3) Pick your places for analytics

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