Manoah’s return one of many storylines as Toronto Blue Jays set to begin camp
DUNEDIN, Fla. — The Toronto Blue Jays start spring coaching this week looking forward to the 2024 season whereas attempting to erase the reminiscence of their newest post-season exit.
The first official exercise is ready for Thursday on the Player Development Complex because the workforce prepares for the Grapefruit League opener towards the Philadelphia Phillies on Feb. 24.
The Blue Jays, who’ve been swept within the wild-card spherical in three of the final 4 years, will kick off the common season on March 28 at Tampa Bay. Here’s a take a look at 5 storylines getting into coaching camp:
MANOAH RETURNS
Starting pitcher Alek Manoah has stored a low profile since he was demoted to the minor leagues for a second time final summer season.
He was an American League Cy Young Award finalist in 2022 however struggled mightily final 12 months. He’ll quickly get an opportunity to talk publicly on what transpired after he was despatched to triple-A Buffalo in August.
Manoah reportedly refused to report back to the Bisons and didn’t pitch as soon as he ultimately determined to indicate up in Buffalo. In mid-September, the Blue Jays mentioned he was shut down for the season after receiving a number of injections in his pitching arm.
So is he able to pitch? How is his relationship with the workforce? Does he really feel he can return to his all-star type?
We’ll quickly discover out from the large right-hander himself.
ARBITRATION RECORD
The Blue Jays misplaced their arbitration case with first baseman Vladimir Guerrero Jr. final week as a three-person panel awarded the slugger the $19.9 million he requested.
The workforce had supplied $18.05 million, which additionally would have been a document quantity in MLB wage arbitration.
It was a head-scratching determination by the workforce contemplating Guerrero is a franchise cornerstone who’s slated to turn into a free agent after the 2025 season. Arbitration can generally ruffle feathers since a workforce has to voice its case for why it doesn’t really feel a participant is well worth the wage being requested.
The Blue Jays averted the method final 12 months with star shortstop Bo Bichette, who signed a three-year that coated his remaining arbitration seasons. Unless signed to an extension, Bichette can also be scheduled to turn into a free agent after the 2025 marketing campaign.
QUIET OFF-SEASON
An underwhelming low season for the Toronto entrance workplace lastly picked up during the last couple weeks with the signing of veteran slugger Justin Turner to a one-year contract and pitcher Yariel Rodriguez to a five-year deal.
Turner is 39 however is coming off a robust season with the Boston Red Sox. He hit .276 final 12 months with 23 homers and 96 runs batted in.
The two-time all-star received a World Series with the Los Angeles Dodgers in 2020 and was a co-winner of the National League Championship Series MVP award in 2017.
Rodriguez, 26, pitched for Cuba on the World Baseball Classic final 12 months. He beforehand pitched in Japanese and Cuban leagues.
Earlier within the low season, the Blue Jays signed infielder Isiah Kiner-Falefa to a two-year contract and introduced again centre-fielder Kevin Kiermaier on a one-year deal.
DONNIE BASEBALL
Bench coach Don Mattingly will tackle a bigger position with the Blue Jays this season after the membership added the newly created place of offensive co-ordinator to his title.
He’ll work with returning hitting coach Guillermo Martinez to attempt to enhance an offence that was inconsistent final season and struggled within the playoffs.
Mattingly was a six-time all-star over his 14-year taking part in profession with the New York Yankees. He later managed the Dodgers and the Miami Marlins.
Carlos Febles will function third-base coach this season after the retirement of Luis Rivera. Febles held the identical position with the Boston Red Sox for six seasons.
