As August begins to draw to a
close, the drama of September Playoff-Races start to take full swing, and the
Jays are looking to change their poor path around after a rough stretch
following the All-Star Break (15-14 since break, 3-7 in past 10).
More and more people doubt the
Jays on their abilities, despite finally having Encarnacion and Lind off the
DL. If the team doesn’t make the playoffs this year, what’s their next step?
Many sources are already confirming an AA
return as GM to Toronto, although nothing is certain yet. As a GM, AA has done
almost everything as well as possible. He brought All-Star talent to the
roster, who instantly made the team World-Series contenders. No one was second
guessing the trade, and how could you? Bringing top-class talent like that to
the team was considered a genius move, and no one was bashing him for it. How
can you predict a collapse like the 2013 season?
While the Jays have performed better in 2014,
they aren’t in the discussion for the World Series. Even if they start to click
and make the playoffs, they haven’t had the consistency of teams like the
Athletics (up until recently), Angels, or Dodgers to sustain a run under that
kind of pressure.
The future isn’t all black for
the Jays however, as they do have a handful of young pitchers to make up a
solid rotation, in Stroman, Sanchez, Hutchison and Daniel Norris, who is most
likely going to be called up to the Jays in September. Despite Hutch not being
the most consistent pitcher, he is still only 23 and still has time to develop.
If all of the younger prospects perform as expected of them, the Jays could
potentially have a solid starting rotation for years to come.
Sure, they may not all be ready right away or
perform strong right away, but as pitchers like Dickey and Buehrle reach the
end of their careers, they can be ready to take over their spots.
As far as hitting goes, no player
is close to retiring any time soon, but in another 5 years that may be a
different story, depending on if players re-sign or not.
The hitting core has had no
serious issues, with the exception of remaining healthy. Bringing in young
talent would be the best way to ensure future success for the Jays, maybe by
trading a big name like Bautista or Edwin. It may be extreme, but if the Jays
do nothing they will surely continue on this downward spiral.
Unless they miraculously turn it
around and make it to the postseason, you never know right?
