After the Winter Assizes, the Blue Jays managed to get their hands on two players: outfielder Kevin Kiermaier and pitcher Chris Bassitt.
Bassitt’s signing, which was announced yesterday, has done Toronto some good.
The reality is that these are two positions (field and mound) that the Blue Jays absolutely had to fill sooner rather than later. And that is done by injecting money into the club, despite the club’s good payroll for the next season.
With the departure of Ross Stripling, the Blue Jays had a hole in the fourth rank of the rotation since the American, freshly hired by the Giants, had done a very good job in 2022. But there, the Jays have a top-4 which is strong.
- Alek Manoah
- Kevin Gausman
- Joseph Berrios
- Chris Bassitt
Should the club go for depth? Obviously. After all, if just one of these gentlemen were to fall in action along the way, the Blue Jays would have Yusei Kikuchi AND Mitch White in the club’s rotation.
When I say notyou say enough. Not…
Should the club seek depth in relief? Obviously. After all, you’ve seen what the club has done during the season and in the playoffs.
The addition of Erik Swanson will fill a nice hole, but let’s just say having one more wouldn’t exactly be a luxury for John Schneider and Pete Walker.
But the big hole, it is in the field. Because after seeing Teoscar Hernandez, Raimel Tapia, Jackie Bradley Jr. and Bradley Zimmer leave, it’s going to take more than Kevin Kiermaier just to make up for it.
Kiermaier is a great addition for what he is: a depth player who will give great resources to a club that wants to be effective defensively. But he must not be a starter.
Am I criticizing the arrival of Kiermaier? No, because one shouldn’t criticize a personnel movement for what it is not. Kiermaier is not an impact signing.
But we can ask GM Ross Atkins to make one to bring a good stick (left-handed, preferably) to the club for next season.
Kiermaier shoots from the left. He is a veteran who has the upper hand over others. He can play center field very well.
But he doesn’t have an impact stick.
When he plays, he gon’ let George Springer take it more easy on the right, but it will allow the Blue Jays not to be afraid to acquire a player who can play on the right since Springer can still play very well in the center.
It offers defensive versatility to the club, which has not finished moving in the outfield.
Once again, names like Michael Brantley, Michael Conforto or Andrew Benintendi come back into the discussion. There are risks with such players, but they are guys with potential.
Does Max Kepler, whose name circulates, maybe a more “safe” but more expensive option? It’s on the table.
Can the name of Daulton Varsho, which circulates in the MLB, be associated with the Jays? He hits from the left and he plays in the right…
Whatever the name, there will be a next outfielder.
- Carlos Rodon would like to play in New York, but the Giants have not said their last word.
- The Padres wanted Chris Bassitt.
- Noah Syndergaard: where will he go?
- The Red Sox have their endgame specialist.
