10 Years. It’s been 10 goddam years since the Toronto Blue Jays were the AL East champs.
A lot of us (including me), would have laughed at the idea of winning the AL East back in March of 2025. And if you truly believed the Jays would win the AL East back in March, your mom definitely took Tylenol when she was pregnant with you.
But here we are. It’s been a ride. An honestly fun ride. Lets have a look at some of the roster conversations the front office may be having prior to the ALDS Game 1 on Saturday.
Position Players – Locks:
Vlad Guerrero Jr
Alejandro Kirk
Andres Gimenez
Nathan Lukes
Daulton Varsho
George Springer
Addison Barger
Ernie Clement
Davis Schneider
Tyler Heineman
Isiah Kiner-Falefa
Miles Straw
Position Players – On The Bubble:
Anthony Santander: Santander has been bad all year from when he was healthy to when he came back form injured. He was 1 for 10 since coming back from injury and let me tell you, he did not look encouraging at the plate at all. I think the Jays put him on the roster out of principal (big free agent, big name, still requires teams to plan for, switch hitter) although he needs to step up. He has a VERY short leash in my mind. If he continues to hit below .200 in the ALDS, I would have him sit in the Press Box in the ALCS – but with him hitting below .200 in the ALDS, probably means we didn’t make the ALCS.
Joey Loperfido: I like Joey a lot, but I think he’s getting squeezed out of the lineup by the presence of Santander. I like what Joey brings to the table at the plate and on the bases but he’s a lefty outfielder (Lukes is holding that title down) and we already have 5 outfielders locked not including Santander. It’s unfortunate but I think he misses the cut.
Bo Bichette: This is the big one. We all want Bo to be healthy, but he might not be by Saturday, but will he be healthy by game 3 on Tuesday? That is unknown. I would be in favour of putting Bo on the roster if it means he comes back in Game 3 or Game 4 BUT that creates another issue….
Davis Schneider/ Isiah Kiner-Falefa: If Bo is back, there will be a middle-infield log-jam with Bo, Gimenez, Clement, IKF & Babe Schneider. One of Babe or IKF will take the L if Bo is back and for me it’s a toss up. We all love Babe as Jays fans, but IKF has that postseason experience that I think is super valuable in high pressure moments. It might come down to projected pitching match up analytics for these two.
Rotation:
Game 1 – Gausman. This is a no brainer, he’s your guy and if things go the distance, he’ll be ready to pitch game 5
Game 2 – Yesavage. He deserves to be in the rotation and I have him in Game 2 because I don’t want him pitching in an elimination game and I don’t want him pitching in Fenway or Yankee stadium for various reasons (crowd, weather, yips)
Game 3 – Bieber. Easy answer, no explanation needed. Seasoned vet to pitch the first game on the road and potentially an elimination game.
Game 4 – Toss Up. It should be between Bassitt & Scherzer and TBH I’m not excited about either. Bassitt sucks bad on the road and Max…well, lets face it; Max has not been good for weeks and I think he gets the benefit of the doubt because of who he is. I see this game being a potential piggy back game with a starter + Lauer. I WILL SAY THIS: between Bassitt and Scherzer, who ever is not the started for Game 4, should not be in the bullpen. they don’t deserve that bullpen spot nor have they shown they could be effective in that role. That bullpen spot should go to a proper reliever.
Game 5 – Back to Gausy. Easy decision.
Bullpen:
Hoffman – this man will cause us at least 1 heart attack
Seranthony Dominguez
Louie Varland
Yariel Rodriguez
Brendon Little
Brayden Fisher
Tommy Nance – 100% deserves to be there. Such an unsung hero in the pen
Erik Lauer – Needs to be in the pen, and not a starter, in case we need an innings eater in Game 1 or 2
Mason Fluharty – He’s earned it. Mason has only given up 1 hit in his last 13 appearances dating back to Aug 5. Not only are his numbers good, but having a 2nd lefty in the pen is a huge resource instead of wasting the bullpen spot for Max or Bassitt who might stink coming out of the pen.
Final Thoughts:
Put Up Or Shut Up – Vlad needs to put up or shut up. He has atrocious numbers in the playoffs, batting only .136 with a total of 3 hits in 6 postseaosn games. You got your contract. Now its time to earn it. You are now being paid to produce in these moments
Earn it – Santander needs to do something. Big contract and absolutely brutal year. Yea the injury, but things were brutal before that. Another one, you need to prove it, this is what you were brought here for.
Sleeper X-Factor – Nathan Lukes will be the unknown hero. Every postseason team has that random guy that goes off, I think Lukes will be that guy for the Jays.
