View from the Cheap Seats is kind of an extension of the newsroom. Whenever our three regular reporters, Calvin Daniels, Thom Barker and Randy Brenzen are in the building together, it is frequently a site of heated debate. This week: Have the trade deadline deals the Toronto Blue Jays made turned the team into a contender for the 2015 World Series?
Back in the hunt
Finally, the Toronto Blue Jays are relevant again in August.
And barring a disaster, they will not just be relevant, but in contention for a playoff spot through September, and that too has been a long time in coming.
This year the team flirted with .500, but stayed in contact with the top American League teams, and finally management and ownership took the plunge at the trade deadline to bolster the team which was showing signs they could take the next step with some help.
And help is what they got.
Hats off to the ownership for approving some rather bold moves, and to Jays GM Alex Anthopoulos for getting the job done in filling holes, in particular shoring up the bullpen, adding an ace starter,ft, and bolstering both core infield and outfield defence.
Shortstop Troy Tulowitzki, over from Colorado was a surprise move, being an upgrade both at the plate and with the glove.
Then to the pitching staff they added a Cy Young winner in lefty David Price, one of the best starters in baseball. This is the piece of the puzzle most needed, and while he is a rental, being a free agent at season’s end, he is the puzzle piece most likely to ensure a playoff berth, .
The Jays also added depth and veteran leadership in the bullpen, with 42-year-old LaTroy Hawkins and 32-year-old Mark Lowe.
And on defence left fielder Ben Revere is an upgrade, and he adds speed with Revere.
When it is all added together I fully expect the Jays in the post season. As I write this the morning of Aug. 5, the team has climbed into a wild card spot. It’s by a slim half-game, but if the playoffs started today they’d be in.
They will at least hold that spot I am confident in saying.
And, they may yet track down the New York Yankees for the American League East crown. They sit 5.5-games back, but with 13 games against the Yankees still to come, it is possible. And 8-5 record in those games puts them close, the remaining games can be made up.
Either way, the Jays will be in the playoffs, and that is exciting as a Saskatchewan sports fan especially since our Roughriders are a dumpster fire.
- Calvin Daniels
Contender
Who woulda thunk we would be talking about a Blue Jays run for the World Series?
After losing ace Marcus Stroman for the season during spring training with a torn ACL, Jays pitching struggled to keep up with the team’s powerful offence.
Still, with a stellar performance by starting pitcher Mark Buehrle and hot bats throughout the lineup and even beyond, the Jays managed to hang around .500 as the trade deadline approached.
What were the chances GM Alex Anthopoulos would be able to pull something off that would turn the Jays into contenders in the dog days?
We were one ace short of a starting order, weak in the bullpen and the defence did not match what is arguably the best offence in the majors, so the chances seemed slim.
When I heard he traded lead-off batter and four-time all-star José Reyes, I briefly wondered if maybe Alex was writing off 2015 and looking to rebuild for next season. It turned out, though, he got Rockies shortstop Troy Tulowitski, a defensive upgrade to Reyes with power in the batter’s box.
When rumours started circulating that the TO GM was looking to deal for David Price, a candidate for best pitcher in baseball today, I started to dare to hope Alex was serious about building a contender. The chances of actually getting Price seemed remote, but we got him.
Add in two veteran relievers in LaTroy Hawkins and Mark Lowe and it appears, beyond all odds, Anthopoulos has managed to plug all the holes.
Since these acquisitions, the Jays have looked like they will be a lock for one of the playoff wildcard berths and may even have a chance to chase down the Yankees for the AL East division title.
Of course, on-paper prowess does not necessarily translate to on-field success, but it is thrilling the Blue Jays are now. a legitimate threat to go all the way in 2015.
Go Jays!
-Thom Barker
