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Entering the 2015 MLB season, it was common knowledge that the Toronto Blue Jays had the most potent offense in the league. They were already anchored by super sluggers Jose Bautista and Edwin Encarnacion. Additionally, they improved their potency by adding Josh Donaldson via trade in the 2014-15 offseason. This gave them a daunting lineup for opposing pitchers to deal with and the inclusion of solid hitters such as Russell Martin made it even more imposing. However, and this has been an issue in Toronto for a while, they lacked an effective starting pitcher rotation. The last true ace they had was Roy Halladay, and none of their SPs on opening day were remotely close to that talent level.
However, after acquiring another potent bat in Troy Tulowitzki before the trade deadline, the Blue Jays finally landed their ace with a trade for David Price. In Price, Toronto finally had an ace comparable to the legendary “Doc” Halladay, and their hopes to make the World Series no longer seemed like a pipe dream. Price finished the season with a 9-1 record, 2.30 ERA and 87 strikeouts in 74.1 innings pitched for Toronto. He ended 2015 leading the AL with a 2.45 ERA, finished third in wins with 18 and placed second in the AL Cy Young voting. His impact, despite Donaldson’s MVP season, had the most significance for Toronto. Adding Price to a rotation with a solid Marco Estrada, an enigmatic R.A. Dickey and phenom Marcus Stroman posed a greater threat to their opposition especially for the playoffs.
The emergence of phenom closer Roberto Osuna strengthened the potency of their overall pitching staff as well. This proved to be true as they advanced past the Texas Rangers in the ALDS, but unfortunately fell short to the Kansas City Royals in the ALCS. Although they didn’t make it to the World Series, the formula for success seemed to finally be in place for Toronto. All they had to do was ensure that they maintained or improved on their roster.
We’re now less than three months away from the start of the 2016 season, yet the Blue Jays’ roster is not looking as potent as it did at the end of the 2015 season. The most important loss that they suffered was with Price. The Blue Jays never made an offer to him in the offseason and the Boston Red Sox signed him to a seven-year, $217 million contract. This was the biggest surprise as it was obvious Price loved being in Toronto. His agent even admitted that the lack of pursuit from the Toronto front office was surprising and that Price would have “absolutely gone back”.
As an alternative, the team decided to spread resources across its starting rotation by re-signing Estrada and exercising a $12 million option on Dickey. They also added Jesse Chavez from the Oakland Athletics and J.A. Happ, a former Blue Jay, from the Pittsburgh Pirates. A rotation of Stroman, Estrada, Happ, Dickey and Chavez is definitely a step down from Price, Stroman, Estrada, Dickey and an inconsistent Drew Hutchison. Toronto still has hope for talented prospect Aaron Sanchez to develop into a frontline starter, but he’s not quite there yet.
As far as the hitting and fielding is concerned, that mostly remains the same. The biggest change was Ben Revere getting traded to the Washington Nationals for RP Drew Storen. Storen grants Toronto some flexibility in the bullpen as he can be a quality setup man for Osuna. However, he was a good closer for the Nationals and had 29 saves in 34 opportunities for them last season. Other than that, the Blue Jays will be putting out the same potent lineup of hitters and get to benefit from a full season with Tulowitzki.
Overall, the loss of Price will prove to be costly for Toronto. They will still smash the ball all over the place, but they no longer have a true ace in their rotation and it’s weaker now than it was last year. Despite not re-signing Price, it was surprising to see Toronto not be aggressive in pursuing other great free agent pitchers such as Johnny Cueto, Zack Greinke or Jordan Zimmermann. When it comes to improving for 2016, Toronto has failed.
Grade: F
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