Blue Jays Notebook: Rays’ trades as impressive as their undefeated record

TORONTO – What the Tampa Bay Rays are doing is unbelievable.
 

Two weeks into the season, they continue to be undefeated, arriving in Toronto with a 13-0 document that’s unsurpassed in trendy baseball historical past. 

“A historical run for our whole sport” stated starter Chris Bassitt.

“Uniquely hot,” added supervisor John Schneider.
 

Eventually they’ll lose, in fact. In truth, widespread sense says it’ll doubtless occur sooner or later this weekend, because the 8-5 Blue Jays are enjoying some good baseball too. 

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But so long as the Rays are the discuss of baseball, it’s value appreciating how they bought right here. While excessive draft picks like Shane McClanahan and worldwide signings like Wander Franco are core gamers for this group, it’s the trades made underneath president of baseball operations Erik Neander that set this roster aside. Consider these strikes from the final 5 years alone:

2018: acquired Yandy Diaz in a three-team deal for money and Jake Bauers
2019: acquired Pete Fairbanks for Nick Solak 

2020: acquired Randy Arozarena in a deal for Matthew Liberatore, minor-leaguer Edgardo Rodriguez and a 2020 supplemental draft decide

2021: acquired Drew Rasmussen in a deal for Willy Adames and Trevor Richards; acquired Jeffrey Springs in a deal for minor leaguers Ronaldo Hernández and Nick Sogard 

 2022: acquired Harold Ramirez for Esteban Quiroz

Simply put, the Rays are making a yearly behavior of buying affect with out giving up wherever near comparable worth. Of all of the gamers given up in these offers, Adames is by far the very best, however the Rays have been capable of half with him since Franco was pushing towards the majors by then.

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If something, that run of trades is sort of as spectacular as this 13-0 document. And bear in mind, present Blue Jays govt James Click was in Tampa for the primary three of those offers. On and off the sector, then, the Rays are doing a whole lot of issues proper. 

“Really impressive on many fronts,” stated GM Ross Atkins. “It’s a great challenge for us.”

Starting this weekend, the Blue Jays have an opportunity to achieve floor on the Rays within the standings. Catching as much as their success on the commerce market could show much more tough.

TIEDEMANN’S DEBUT
Top Blue Jays pitching prospect Ricky Tiedemann made his season debut Thursday following some spring shoulder soreness, and it was spectacular.

The left-hander allowed two hits over three innings of labor whereas recording all 9 of his outs with strikeouts. He touched 99 m.p.h. together with his fastball and stuffed up the zone all night time, throwing strikes with 35 of his 49 pitches.  

Best-case state of affairs, Tiedemann retains attacking hitters, feeling wholesome and dealing on vital particulars like holding runners (he did permit two steals Thursday). If all of that occurs, a 2023 debut appears doable.

For now, although, that’s nonetheless many steps away. And whereas trades will ultimately turn out to be an possibility the Blue Jays are positive to discover, that’s not lifelike for an additional couple of months. For the Blue Jays to get the beginning pitching they want, inside enchancment must proceed coming from their big-league rotation. 

THE BEST VERSION OF KIERMAIER
The last assessments can come later, however the Blue Jays have to be thrilled with the early returns from a veteran outfielder whose left hip didn’t cooperate all of final 12 months. Even at age 32, Kevin Kiermaier’s among the many quickest gamers within the league, with 92nd percentile dash pace. That’s allowed him to carry out as the most effective defenders within the league, with an 88th percentile rating in Outs Above Average.

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Ultimately, these aren’t numbers you may faux. 

“It’s a ball of energy. He’s on from that from the minute he’s steps in here. And he just loves playing,” Schneider stated. “It’s pretty much the best version of K.K. that we could have hoped for.” 

Now is Kiermaier going to complete the 12 months with an .892 OPS? He’s the primary to confess he’s not precisely an influence hitter. “Very occasional,” he joked after hitting his first residence run. But even assuming his offensive numbers decline from right here, the group has cause to be thrilled with the one-year $9 million deal Kiermaier signed this winter.  

As lately as 2021, he was a 3.3 WAR participant. The means he’s enjoying, that stage of affect appears attainable as soon as once more. 

HOW (NOT) TO PITCH THE JAYS
As the Tigers can now attest after shedding two of three at Rogers Centre, falling behind within the rely in opposition to the Blue Jays is harmful.
“The strike throwing against this team is important,” stated supervisor A.J. Hinch stated. “Because the more leverage you give them, the more trouble you get into.”

Like all groups, the Blue Jays fare higher when forward within the rely. But they’ll do extra injury than most, with a .272/.452/.491 batting line as soon as they achieve the benefit, reinforcing the significance of strike one.

LOOKING AHEAD
Looking on the Blue Jays’ subsequent three opponents, you would possibly suppose it’s October somewhat than April. It doesn’t get a lot more durable than the Rays, Astros and Yankees, however it’s important to play the very best groups sooner or later. If the Blue Jays can emerge from this stretch a couple of video games above .500, they’ll be properly positioned to achieve additional floor in opposition to weaker groups later within the 12 months.

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