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Blue Jays basic supervisor Ross Atkins addressed reporters following the crew’s playoff exit by the hands of the Mariners. With a supervisor nonetheless holding the interim tag, a younger core that’s getting increasingly more costly, and veterans coping with accidents there’s loads of query marks going into the offseason in Toronto.
Atkins didn’t make any agency commitments at supervisor simply but. Requested in regards to the standing of interim skipper John Schneider, Atkins famous that it could be “very troublesome for us to search out higher than [him]” however cautioned he “needs extra time to work by the (hiring) course of” (by way of Julia Kreuz of MLB.com). The Jays fired Charlie Montoyo in July with the crew 46-42. Schneider was handed the crew by the top of the season, and the Jays went 46-28 with him on the helm. Whereas the advance underneath Schneider is clear, the crew did nonetheless fall effectively in need of expectations within the playoffs. Atkins and his entrance workplace workers definitely wouldn’t rule Schneider out due to two video games, and there’d appear to be a very good likelihood he’s retained, however he wasn’t ready to make any transfer at this level.
On the taking part in aspect, Atkins appeared to point working again the present core to be the perfect path to a championship for the crew. The GM each downplayed any urgency to make a core-altering commerce and indicated the membership had laid the groundwork in extension talks with some core gamers in hopes of additional discussions this offseason (by way of Ben Nicholson-Smith of Sportsnet). Atkins didn’t reveal any specifics, nevertheless it stands to motive gamers like Alek Manoah, Vladimir Guerrero Jr., and Bo Bichette would match into that group. Guerrero has three extra seasons of arbitration management however is projected by MLBTR contributor Matt Swartz to earn $14.1MM subsequent 12 months after qualifying for early arbitration as a Tremendous Two participant in 2021. Bichette is projected for $6.1MM in his first 12 months of eligibility and is likewise controllable by 2025. Manoah is controllable by 2027 and never but arbitration eligible, though he’s more likely to qualify for Tremendous Two on the finish of subsequent season.
Atkins was non-committal on how energetic the Jays shall be in free company, however Nicholson-Smith mentions they’re anticipated to pursue beginning pitching assist. Kevin Gausman is a lock to guide the rotation, however Jose Berrios struggled to a 5.23 ERA in 2022, whereas Yusei Kikuchi pitched his manner out of the rotation with a 5.19 ERA. Berrios will get an opportunity to show issues round in 2023, whereas Kikuchi is anticipated to get one other crack at pitching out of the rotation subsequent 12 months. Nonetheless, Ross Stripling is an impending free agent and Hyun Jin-Ryu will miss most, if not all, of subsequent season recovering from Tommy John surgical procedure.
Atkins additionally addressed the standing of George Springer, who left the Jays remaining playoff recreation after colliding with Bichette whereas pursuing a shallow fly ball. The Jays introduced this morning that Springer had sustained a concussion and a strained left shoulder. Atkins indicated as we speak that Springer additionally has a bone spur in his proper elbow and will bear offseason surgical procedure (Nicholson-Smith). In any occasion, the expectation is that he’ll be prepared for spring coaching, though given he’s 33 with a checkered harm previous and declining defensive numbers it’s honest to surprise how lengthy the Jays will rely on him as an on a regular basis middle fielder.
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