Baltimore — This is not what the Blue Jays wanted to do on July 30.
They are trapped standing outside, watching everyone else enjoy fun through the window. This Blue Jays roster was designed to compete in the postseason, which should have included a couple of huge trades at the deadline to prepare for October.
Instead, the Blue Jays opened up shop and sold. Former players include Yimi García, Nate Pearson, Danny Jansen, Justin Turner, Yusei Kikuchi, Trevor Richards, Isiah Kiner-Falefa, and Kevin Kiermaier.
“I’m disappointed that we’re here; it’s unacceptable that we’re here, and I’m sorry to our fans for that,” stated general manager Ross Atkins shortly after Tuesday’s Deadline, as the Blue Jays lost 6-2 to the Orioles.
In many ways, the end of this season has already been lamented. It’s been a slow death, stretched and teased over four months, but no one was surprised when the Blue Jays sold before the deadline. Sure, the wonderful package they received from the Astros for Kikuchi, as well as the choice to sell Kiner-Falefa, raised some eyebrows, but for good reasons.
The Blue Jays had to make the most of the situation they’d created for themselves.
“We did not want to be in this situation where we were trading players away,” Atkins reiterated. “It’s a difficult time in my career and where we are as an organization, but we’ve shifted our focus to becoming better and reorganizing the group that is here, an already strong group that we want to grow on. We believe we have accomplished this by recruiting players who are close to or already in the Major Leagues and can help us win more baseball games in the coming years.”
It’s all about the future right now, but not in the distant, hypothetical future. The Blue Jays aren’t hoping to win the lotto five years from now. The team needs to win in 2025, with Vladimir Guerrero Jr. and Bo Bichette leading the lineup and Kevin Gausman, Chris Bassitt, and José Berríos leading the rotation.
It’s all about the future right now, but not in the distant, hypothetical future. The Blue Jays aren’t hoping to win the lotto five years from now. The team needs to win in 2025, with Vladimir Guerrero Jr. and Bo Bichette leading the lineup and Kevin Gausman, Chris Bassitt, and José Berríos leading the rotation.
“That was our goal, to do that as soon as possible and to retool this already talented group, to ensure that in 2025, ’26 and hopefully beyond that, we’re competing and contending,” Atkins told reporters.
The Blue Jays’ Trade Deadline acquisitions include right-hander Jake Bloss (No. 3 prospect) and outfielder Joey Loperfido from the Kikuchi transaction, as well as outfielder Jonatan Clase (No. 8) from the García deal.
Even if Bloss had been the only player returning for Kikuchi, it would have been smart business for the Blue Jays, but the addition of Loperfido pushed it over the edge. He’s currently with the Blue Jays and will have the opportunity to seize a regular job and run with it. If he grabs the left field spot next season and demonstrates his enormous offensive potential, Toronto’s summer will be much easier.
Clase will also be involved in it. Fresh off a 79-steal season in the Minors, he’s an exceptional athleticism with the most promise of any player acquired at the deadline, according to Atkins. Bloss, who could sign with the Blue Jays soon, has the potential to be a mid-rotation starter as early as next season.
Now, the Blue Jays require more. Way more. If we’re talking about 2025, this team will require rotation depth, multiple relievers, a catcher, and a few batters. Ross Atkins’ work isn’t done here.
“This was the first step towards that,” Atkins stated. “There are numerous ways to make acquisitions, and we will continue to do so. We’ll have to add in free agency,
We simply raised the likelihood of doing so by increasing depth and flexibility. The diversity and dynamic agility that we’ve acquired to complement the players who are already here was an important element of our goal. “We believe we have accomplished that.”
That’s why this time of year may be so unusual for a seller. There’s a modest, unexpected flare of optimism in an otherwise disappointing season.
Even though they were brought here by losses, it’s easy to picture the Blue Jays winning in this Deadline.
