Blue Jays Roundtable: Who should make wild-card roster vs. Twins?

TORONTO — Now that we all know who the Blue Jays are taking part in within the wild-card spherical, the query turns into who they take with them.

By Tuesday at 10 a.m. ET / 7 a.m. PT the Blue Jays should determine which 26 gamers they’ll roster in opposition to the Twins this week in Minneapolis. Until then, supervisor John Schneider will focus on varied choices with the teaching workers and entrance workplace, taking into consideration the efficiency of his personal gamers and the strengths and weaknesses of the Twins.

While we await last phrase from the Blue Jays, we polled our MLB writers for his or her really useful rosters:

Watch Blue Jays vs. Twins in Wild Card spherical on Sportsnet

The Toronto Blue Jays head to Minnesota to face the Twins within the best-of-three Wild Card spherical. Watch each sport on Sportsnet and Sportsnet+ starting Oct. 3.

Watch Game 1 on Oct. 3

Watch Game 2 on Oct. 4

Game 3 on Oct. 5 (if neccessary, time TBD)

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Shi Davidi

Pitchers (12): Kevin Gausman, Chris Bassitt, Jose Berrios, Yusei Kikuchi, Jordan Romano, Jordan Hicks, Yimi Garcia, Chad Green, Erik Swanson, Tim Mayza, Genesis Cabrera, Trevor Richards

Reasoning: There is all the time a nightmare situation you possibly can concoct to justify carrying 13 pitchers for 3 video games, however the odds are so in opposition to it occurring, I really feel like there’s extra utility within the additional place participant. Gausman, Bassitt and Berrios are a formidable entrance three and Kikuchi affords safety in case catastrophe strikes throughout an outing.

In the bullpen is the present group, giving John Schneider ample room to run with leverage arms from the fifth inning onwards. There’s an argument to be made for taking Bowden Francis over Richards, however the latter has been part of the crew for the previous two-and-a-half years and was having a sensational season earlier than the final month and regardless of that, has struck out 103 batters in 70 innings. As lengthy as he’s fully wholesome, he must be on the roster.

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Position Players (14): Alejandro Kirk, Tyler Heineman, Vladimir Guerrero Jr., Brandon Belt, Cavan Biggio, Santiago Espinal, Bo Bichette, Matt Chapman, Daulton Varsho, Whit Merrifield, Kevin Kiermaier, George Springer, Davis Schneider, Cam Eden

Reasoning: Remember Dalton Pompey within the 2015 playoffs? That’s what the Blue Jays are hoping Eden may be and with Kirk and Belt within the lineup, there may be definitely utility in a primarily-speed participant. Ideally, they’d have discovered extra alternatives for him to get some reps over the previous couple of weeks however even when he’s not stealing bases, he’s proven the power to make good reads and the velocity to place stress on a defence.

Schneider has cooled since his historic begin — it’s not possible that he wouldn’t have — however his energy is smart off the bench. Otherwise, there aren’t any actual debates right here and the Blue Jays will lean closely on the lineup they used over the previous week, with a matchup tweak right here and there.

David Singh

Pitchers (12): Kevin Gausman, Chris Bassitt, Jose Berrios, Yusei Kikuchi, Jordan Romano, Jordan Hicks, Yimi Garcia, Chad Green, Erik Swanson, Tim Mayza, Genesis Cabrera, Bowden Francis

Reasoning: Nothing stunning in these picks. The most noteworthy participant absent is Trevor Richards, who’s changed within the bullpen with right-hander Bowden Francis.

Richards struggled mightily in September, permitting 16 runs on 14 hits and 11 walks over 11.1 innings. Francis, in the meantime, has been an underrated cog within the bullpen throughout his varied stints with the big-league membership.

The rookie’s function wasn’t thrilling — he soaked up innings largely when the Blue Jays have been behind in video games — however he dealt with his business and confirmed glorious command, posting a 1.73 ERA over 36.1 innings, putting out 35 whereas strolling simply eight.

Francis’s function shouldn’t change within the post-season, however you could possibly argue these mop-up innings that apply gauze to wreck turn into much more essential in October.

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Position gamers (14): Alejandro Kirk, Tyler Heineman, Vladimir Guerrero Jr., Brandon Belt, Cavan Biggio, Santiago Espinal, Bo Bichette, Matt Chapman, Daulton Varsho, Whit Merrifield, Kevin Kiermaier, George Springer, Davis Schneider, Cam Eden

Reasoning: Business as traditional right here, because it’s the identical 14 place gamers the Blue Jays deployed to finish the season.

We noticed this at play all 12 months, nevertheless it’s value mentioning as soon as once more the kind of versatility this group supplies for supervisor John Schneider.

Merrifield’s potential to play the outfield could possibly be an element, whereas Biggio may be slotted just about wherever with full confidence. He’s my guess to writer a signature second early within the post-season.

I’ll admit I wasn’t initially on the Eden practice. However, after chatting with colleague Ben Nicholson-Smith and studying his piece on the speedy outfielder, I’m totally on board. Would be thrilling to see how his velocity might change the complexion of a late-inning rally.

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Ben Nicholson-Smith

Pitchers (12): Kevin Gausman, Chris Bassitt, Jose Berrios, Yusei Kikuchi, Jordan Romano, Jordan Hicks, Yimi Garcia, Chad Green, Erik Swanson, Tim Mayza, Genesis Cabrera, Bowden Francis

Reasoning: The prime three starters are apparent selections and Kikuchi’s helpful in case a sport goes extras (keep in mind, there aren’t any ghost runners within the post-season) or as insurance coverage in case a starter takes a line drive off a leg. He could possibly be utilized in shorter stints, too.

Most of the aid selections are equally clear, excluding Bowden Francis over Trevor Richards (and Hyun Jin Ryu). That’s the hardest determination I see for the Blue Jays this week, except they go together with 13 pitchers for a three-game collection as they did in 2022.

It would really feel mistaken to not embrace Richards, who has been a vital a part of this crew all 12 months, however he’s struggled in current weeks and the Twins led the American League in dwelling runs — Richards’ Achilles heel. Plus, Francis affords extra size.

This configuration provides as much as a complete of 9 relievers, somewhat than 10, however we’re speaking a couple of three-game collection with off days on both aspect. Nine must be sufficient.

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Position Players (14): Alejandro Kirk, Tyler Heineman, Vladimir Guerrero Jr., Brandon Belt, Cavan Biggio, Santiago Espinal, Bo Bichette, Matt Chapman, Daulton Varsho, Whit Merrifield, Kevin Kiermaier, George Springer, Davis Schneider, Cam Eden

Reasoning: The Blue Jays have 11 gamers who’re primarily locks, as they’re positive to roster their beginning 9 plus Merrifield and Heineman, their backup catcher. And in case you enable for 14 place gamers, you possibly can broaden your bench with three distinct talent units.

In Schneider, you’ve gotten energy off the bench ought to the Blue Jays discover themselves trailing late, possibly with Daulton Varsho or Cavan Biggio up in opposition to a tricky left-hander. Espinal’s helpful in comparable conditions, however you’re extra seemingly to make use of him once you want contact versus dwelling run energy. He’s additionally your backup shortstop.

As for Eden, there’s a transparent pinch-running function for him on a crew the place Kirk and Belt are beginning day by day. Down one within the seventh, for example, or tied within the eighth. With that in thoughts, there’s a non-zero probability he scores among the Blue Jays’ largest runs of 2023. In reality, even when the Blue Jays roster simply 13 place gamers, Eden must be one in every of them.