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MLB Hot Stove: Toronto Blue Jays Preview

By Darrell Samuels

Oct 21, 2015; Toronto, Ontario, CAN; Toronto Blue Jays relief pitcher Roberto Osuna (54) reacts after the victory against the Kansas City Royals in game five of the ALCS at Rogers Centre. Mandatory Credit: Nick Turchiaro-USA TODAY Sports
Oct 21, 2015; Toronto, Ontario, CAN; Toronto Blue Jays relief pitcher Roberto Osuna (54) reacts after the victory against the Kansas City Royals in game five of the ALCS at Rogers Centre. Mandatory Credit: Nick Turchiaro-USA TODAY Sports /
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Offense

Mandatory Credit: Denny Medley-USA TODAY Sports
Mandatory Credit: Denny Medley-USA TODAY Sports /

The Toronto Blue Jays appeared to show almost no signs of difficulty with their offense as they scored a whopping 891 runs over the course of the 162 game season. This team was a feared lineup to face on a nightly basis, after the series of deals that landed the team Josh Donaldson, Russell Martin and Troy Tulowitzki. They already had a potent lineup of Jose Bautista, Edwin Encarnacion and youngsters Kevin Pillar, Devon Travis and Ryan Goins but adding these veterans further improved the chances of breaking the playoff drought and making the Blue Jays and the city of Toronto relevant again across Major League Baseball.

Third baseman Josh Donaldson, outfielder Jose Bautista and Designated Hitter Edwin Encarnacion, as a trio, hit 120 home runs and cashed in 348 RBI’s over the season. Russell Martin was no slouch either as he hit 23 home runs and drove in 77. In 41 games with the team, newcomer Tulowitzki hit five home runs and had 17 RBI’s.

Rookie Devon Travis had a great season, as well, before getting injured and forcing him to watch from the sidelines. He was an offseason acquisition from the Detroit Tigers, for outfielder Anthony Gose. Travis started 62 games at second base and hit 8 home runs and drove in 35 teammates. The team turned to Ryan Goins to fill in for the injured Travis and he drove in 45 RBI’s and hit 5 moonshot home runs.

Outfielder Kevin Pillar was projected to be a fourth outfielder during Spring Training in Dunedin, Florida. However, the freak injury that knocked out offseason acquisition Michael Saunders for the season, put Pillar on the map with his electrifying awestruck catches that had some fans nicknaming him Superman. Pillar became the team’s everyday centre fielder and the team’s stolen base leader with 25.

Trades permitting, this lineup should be back again in place ready to build off of a successful campaign a season ago.

Next: Pitching

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