4 experiments the Blue Jays need to try to prepare for 2025

With the end of the current MLB season fast approaching, the Toronto Blue Jays undoubtedly have an important choice to make. Either they nonchalantly play out the remaining meaningless games against non-contenders in their upcoming schedule, or they can actually make the most of it by using those games to prepare for the upcoming 2025 season. If the Jays have any intention to return to being contenders once again for next year, they should jump all over the latter option.

To do so, the Jays should take full advantage of the remaining week to try out certain things that could end up helping them in the future. As a result, here we suggest 4 experiments that would be worth looking into before the season comes to an end. If they all end up working out, it should put the Jays in a lot better position heading into 2025.

See what Yariel Rodríguez can do in the bullpen 

One perplexing yet meaningful experiment the Jays should explore is trying out starter Yariel Rodríguez for a few games in the bullpen. Fans may wonder, why should Toronto even entertain such a move? After all, Rodríguez has done a fine job as a back end of the rotation starter for the Jays this season. In particular, for the month of September, he has compiled a sparkling 1.46 ERA, 0.97 WHIP with 4 walks and 11 strikeouts in 12.1 innings pitched over three starts. 

For one, the Jays’ relief corps have been a complete disaster in 2024, as they will likely need to add multiple pieces this offseason to help right the ship. Rodríguez has shown previously to be a lights-out reliever in his last few seasons in the Japanese League prior to joining the Jays. During that time, he was able to maintain an ERA below three while striking out more than a batter per inning.

In addition, as a reliever, Rodríguez can focus on his bread-and-butter pitches to attack opposing hitters that he won’t likely see more than once through the lineup. By relying more on his fastball and devastating slider, it could make him even more effective in the long run. It would also be less taxing on his body with the fewer innings workload, as he had endured some back issues this past season.

With the Jays having the strong core of Kevin Gausman, José Berríos, Chris Bassitt and now Bowden Francis set for the rotation in 2025, they may actually need more help in the bullpen. Especially if the Jays end up signing another starter this offseason or have a revitalized and healthy Alek Manoah back next year.

As a former starter, why not test Ryan Yarbrough again in the role?

For Ryan Yarbrough, the Jays should consider moving him into the rotation and give him a start or two prior to the end of the season. Why the starter experiment all of a sudden? Well, Jays’ fans probably still have nightmares of when Yarbrough would dominate Toronto as a starter with the Tampa Bay Rays. At one point in time, he was indeed a solid swingman in the big leagues, owning a career ERA under five and WHIP of 1.21 as a starter. Only in recent years has Yarbrough pitched primarily as a reliever, and has done a tremendous job in doing so. In a relief role, he sports a strong 39-16 record with a 3.77 ERA and 1.17 WHIP.

Currently, Yarbrough has been the Jays’ most dominant and reliable bullpen arm since the trade deadline, posting a stellar 2.28 ERA, 0.76 WHIP, while giving up just two home runs, 6 walks and 18 strikeouts in 23.2 innings pitched over 10 appearances. It really seemed as though he was working hard to pay back his dues after all the damage he had done to the Jays over the years.

Yarbrough could even be more valuable to the team if he could prove that he can still bring it as a starter. Seeing how he performs when going through a lineup the second time around will be the determining point. If Yarbrough can show convincing signs of success, it ultimately provides the Jays with more options heading into 2025. By reverting back to his effective swingman role, the Jays can thus re-sign him to a cheap contract for next year and utlilize him where they see fit. It would also lower their need to search for a dependable starter this offseason, as it would firmly add him into the mix with Manoah and Rodríguez as the internal options to fill the fifth spot in the Jays’ rotation.

Give Nathan Lukes a run at the leadoff position in the lineup

This year, we have all witnessed the unexpected decline of George Springer from his usual dominant leadoff position in the lineup. In the 95 games in which he has batted first in the lineup entering Friday, Springer has hit a dismal .217 with a .296 on-base percentage, .654 OPS, 12 doubles, 12 home runs and 33 RBI with 39 walks and 81 strikeouts. With his days being a prolific leadoff hitter appearing to come to an end, it is about time that the Jays try out another candidate in the spot. In particular, one that can perform as a traditional leadoff hitter by using their hitting and speed to get on base and help generate runs.

Right now, one promising candidate that stands out for the Jays to undertake that role is outfielder Nathan Lukes. After being given actual quality playing time this season, Lukes has not disappointed in his stint so far with the club. In 14 games played to date, he has compiled a solid .333 batting average, .390 on-base percentage, .861 OPS, with 8 runs scored, 3 doubles, 2 triples, 7 RBI and 1 stolen base. He has also walked (6) more than he has struck out (5). 

With his effective ability to get on base, along with,so,e glimpses of his speed game, it makes one wonder if he could flourish when given the leadoff role for a run of games. After all, Lukes has done admirably so far in four games in which he has led off, posting a .333 average, .888 OPS, with a run scored, a pair of doubles, 3 RBI, 3 walks and zero strikeouts in 19 plate appearances. If he ends up doing well in the role, added to his solid overall defense, it suddenly gives the Jays a viable option for 2025 if they need to move Springer further down the lineup.