Finally, we have reached the end of the 2024 season, one that could be the end of an era. The final tale of the tape: 17 series wins (4 series sweeps), 29 series losses (swept 5 times) and 4 series splits. The Blue Jays took a big gamble that 2023 was an anomaly and the team would be better offensively after shuffling the deck with the hitting coaches, making Don Mattingly offesive coordinator and adding some assistants alongside Guillermo Martinez. The team struck out in free agency on signing Shohei Ohtani (who opted to remain in the LA area, signing with the Dodgers) and also on trading for Juan Soto. Instead, they were banking on the players having bounceback years with the additions of Justin Turner and Isiah Kiner-Falefa). Unfortunately, that didn't come to fruition. Perhaps most surprisingly, Bo Bichette, the Blue Jays best and most consistent hitter, had perhaps the worst season of his careerm with career lows in most of the major statistical categories and a lost season where he only played 81 games due to a nagging calf issue. The pitching, which was masking the pitiful offense last year, regressed, both the starting pitching and the bullpen. There were some shining lights in a dim season (Bowden Francis was excellent the last 2 months of the season, including 2 no-hit bids that died in the 9th inning; Vlad had his best season since 2020, Ernie Clement was solid and Alejandro Kirk showed he can handle a bigger role behind the plate.) August 25th was a game that will go down in MLB history with Danny Jansen becoming the first player in history to play for both teams in the same game after the June 26 game was suspended in the top of the 2nd with Jansen at the plate and Jansen was subsequently traded at the deadline to the Red Sox.(Oh yeah, and Jansen batted for the Red Sox in the bottom half of the inning.) In this final random thoughts post of 2024, we'll look back at the season, changes that need to be made and more. Here are 10 random thoughts from around the MLB.
1. As per usual, let's start with the injuries and the impact they had on the season. The most significant injury was the pitching elbow with Alek Manoah undergoing Tommy John surgery, closer Jordan Romano needing surgery to relieve nerve issues and prospect pitchers Brandon Barriera and Rickey Tiederman both underwent tommy john surgery. This is going to impact the rotation going forward with both Manoah and Tiederman not expected to return until mid-season (Manoah could potentially be ready to return around the all-star break while Tiederman could potentially miss the entire 2024 season since he didn't have the surgery until the end of July). The Blue Jays are going to need another starter. Manoah finished the 2024 season 1-2 with a 3.70ERA over 5 starts. Kevin Gausman missed his first turn of the season dealing with a shoulder issue. He didn't look like himself in many of his starts, so one has to wonder if he was playing through the injury or something else was bothering him. Gausman was 12-11 with a 4.09ERA over 28 startsThere has to be concerns with Bo Bichette, who missed significant time with a calf injury and went on the IL three separate times before getting shut down for a couple of months. He definitely came back too soon on at least one of the IL stints. Oh yeah, and Bichette came back for one game and then fractured a finger during defensive drills in warm-up. Bichette is going to be a key player next season and needs to be at full health. Bichette finished the season with a .222 average with 4HR and 30 RBI over 80 games and 308AB. Injuries will happen over the course of the season and the Blue Jays need to have viable options on the bench and in the minors.
2. Pitching was a big issue all season, primarily with the bullpen unable to hold leads. It is the biggest off-season need. Tim Mayza was among the worst on the team, going 0-1 with an 8.03ERA in 35 appearances before being DFA'd and eventually trraded to the Yankees. Chad Green, who was the closer once Romano went down was solid until September when he blew three consecutive saves. At this point, Green, Romano, Genesis Cabrera and Branden Little have earned spots in the bullpen in 2025. They need to find 3-4 relievers that can be relied upon to keep the score close, tied or the Blue Jays in the lead. Management cannot assume an anomally and they shouldn't be relying on waiver claims or players that were DFA'd by other teams since there is a reason why teams dropped those players.
3. The last time the Blue Jays finished a season below .500 was the last year for the core of Russell Martin, Jose Bautista and Edwin Encarnacion. That off-season saw major changes in coaching with manager John Gibbons being let go. There needs to be significant changes this off-season too. The first move should be letting Ross Atkins go and maybe Mark Shapiro too if he is unwilling to fire his friends. In terms of the coaches, Guillermo Martinez, Pete Walker, Don Mattingly and Pete Walker all need to be let go. The offence, or lack thereof, and pitching (mainly the bullpen) were the single biggest reasons why this season went south. Walker, who has been the Blue Jayss pitching coach since 2012 has done some remarkable work over the years, turning around the careers of Robbie Ray and Jose Berrios, but, the team needs a neeew voice for the pitcher. Every coach has an expiry date where their ideas beome stale. There have been numerous occasions this year where he has gone out for a mound visit to no effect. It's interesting too that Yusei Kikuchi has improved in his brief time in Houston since their pitching coach tweaked his pitch use. Martinez should have been let go at the end of last season, but Atkins chose to increase the number of hitting coaches in the dugout to assust Martinez. That predictably failed since there were too many voices in the dugout. As for manager John Schneider, he should be given another season, but on a short leash. The Blue Jays championship windoe is quickly closing and the team needs to not just make the playoffs, but win a round or two to entice one of Vlad and Bo Bichette to sign a long-term deal. It's already going to be a tough sell with the current state of the team and the minor league system
4. Three Blue Jays who impressed this season:
- Bowden Francis - It was a tale of two seasons for Bowden Francis, who came out of spring training as the 5th starter with Alek Manoah rehabbing an injury. After three subpar starts, Francis was relegated to the bullpen, then optioned to AAA-ball for a couple of months. When he was recalled, he worked out of the bullpen as a multi-inning reliever. He made a start July 29th and pitched well, throwing into the 6th inning. He joined the rotation for good August 7th. Francis caught fire with seven quality starts in a row. He shouldn't be handed any kind of role next season since this could well be a prolonged hot streak and teams will review the videos and adjust. He'll likely be in the rotation in 2025. Francis finished the season 8-5 with a 3.30ERA in 27 appearances (13 starts)
- Vladimir Guerrero Jr. - The first of the big three prospects (Vlad, Bo Bichette and Cavan Biggio) to make their MLB debut in 2019, Vlad was the team's best player. Highlights of his season include: a 23-game hit streak, a new career high in hits (199), 3rd best career total in HR (30), 2nd best career RBI total (103) and highest career batting average (.323). He also knocked in his 500th career RBI. The Blue Jays must sign him to a decade long deal before he can test the free agent market because his value is only going to go up.
- Jose Berrios - Acquired in a trade with the Twins in 2021, Berrios had his best season in a Blue Jays uniform, going 16-0 with a solid 3.38ERA over 31 starts. He pitched 6 or more innings 22 times and had 21 quality starts. He'll be the ace of the staff for the next several seasons since he is signed through the 2028 season, although he can opt out after the 2026 season. Berrios has been the teams most consistent pitcher this season and really should have an extra 2-3 wins if not for the inept offense.
- Tim Mayza - Tim Mayza had a disastrous season, going 0-1 with an 8.03 ERA in 35 appearances and did not record an out in the last two appearances in a Blue Jays uniform. He was better as a Yankee, albeit after a month in the minors to work through things, going 0-1 with a 3.94ERA. A big constributing factor was his velocity being down, thereby making his pitches more hittable. One also has to wonder if there's an issue with his arm again - he missed the 2020 pandemic season due to Tommy John surgery he had in September 2019. This Blue Jays fan is rooting for his success
- Cavan Biggio - The second of the big three (Vlad, Bo Bichette and Cavan Biggio) to make their MLB debut in 2019, Biggio has taken a ton of criticism for his lack of offense and his ability to play multuple positions likely factored into why he was kept on the team until June 10 and subsequently traded 4 days later to the Dodgers. The emergence of Addison Barger, Davis Schneider and Ernie Clement meant that Biggio's verastility wasn't as big of a plus. Biggio hit .200 with 2HR and 9RBI over 44 games and 110AB for the Blue Jays this season. It should be noted that the Dodgers released him 2 months later, he was then picked up and traded by the Giants (without playing a game) to the Braves, his current team. It will be interesting to see where he plays in 2025.
- Bo Bichette - finally, there's Bo Bichette, the second of the big three (Vlad, Bichette and Biggio) to make their MLB debut in 2019. It was Bichette's worst and most frustrating season, both statistically and injury-wise. Going into the 2024 season, Bichette was arguably the Blue Jays best, and certainly most consistent hitter. Bichette hit .225 with 4HR and 31RBI over 81 games and 311AB. He also struggled mightilty with a calf injury that put him on the IL three times, the third stint lasting almost 2 months. The cruel baseball gods struck again and after all that hard work rehabbing the injury, Bichette saw his seaaon come to a crushing end with a fractured finger after one game. First off-season priority for Bichette will be to get back to full health. Second priority is to get himself together mentally and physically because he will be a key bat in next year's lineup.
- team MVP - Guerrero Jr. - besides having his best statistical season since 2021 - batting .323 with 30HR and 103RBI in 159 games and 616AB, Vlad took a leadership role, highlighted prior to a recent game where he went up to a struggling Davis Schneider and gave him some tips on his batting stance. Vlad is the top priority for players that must be signed. If the team isa unable to sign him to a long-term deal in the off-season and the team struggles, they might as well blow it up and start from scratch with fans enduring some pain for a few years.
- unsung hero - Ernie Clement - the scrappy utility man had a fine season, batting .263 with 12HR and 51RBI over 139 games and 464AB. His versatility in the infield and ability to play multiple positions will make him a useful asset going forward and should give him plenty of playing time next season.
- best pitcher - Jose Berrios - Ever since a rough 2022 season, Berrios has been the leader of the pitching staff, giving the blue Jays a chance to win mostly every five days. He was 16-11 with a 3.60ERA over 32 starts (21 quality starts) and 22 times pitching 6 or more innings. Berrios will be a key part of the rotation for the next several years and will be one of the players the team will build around.
- best prospect - reliever Brandon Litlle, who was the Blue Jays most effective lefty out of the bullpen, going 1-2 with a 3.74ERA in 49 appearances. He's one of the relievers I would keep going forward.
- AL MVP - Aaron Judge, who has the opportunity to reach 60HR for the second time in 3 season and leads the AL in most of the important statistical categories (HR, RBI, on-base% and is right behind Vlad in batting average. No question Vladdy will get some MVP votes, but Judge will win the award.
- NL MVP - the race for this award was over pretty much by the all-star break. I mean, you may never see another player like Japanese phenom Shohei Ohtani, who's efforts this season were amplified by the fact he is recovering from Tommy John surgery that kept him off the pitching mound all season. Ohtani has a shot at creating a 60-60 club (60HR and 60 stolen bases), although more likely it'll be a 55-55 club. Oh yeah and he also has a shot at becoming the 18th player in MLB history with 400 total bases. He must love being in a Dodgers lineup where there are other dangerous hitters. With the Angels, Ohtani was the best hitter and often was intentionally walked. Can't wait to see him do some damage in the postseason.
- AL Cy Young - Tarik Skubal - The Tigers southpaw is a majot reason why the Tigers are going to be back in the playoffs for the first time since 2014. Skubal was 18-3 with a solid 2.39ERA in 31 starts, 22 of them being quality starts.
- NL Cy Young - Chris Sale, who had a comeback season after injury-riddled seasons 2020-2021 and a subpar season. It appeared that Sale's career was nearing the bottom of the 9th, but instead he was 18-3 with 2.38ERA over 29 starts (18 quality starts) and an NL-leading 225 strikeouts. He's a big reason why the Braves are right there for a wild card spot, despite losing star Ronald Acuna Jr. to an ACL tear. The Blue Jays should kick the tires on acquiring this veteran lefty.
- AL Rookie of the year SP Luis Gil, was in the Yankees rotation due to Gerritt Cole not being ready to start the season. Gil went 15-6 with a 3.27 ERA over 28 starts (11 quality starts
- NL Rookie of the year - On a bad Padres team, Padres CF Jackson Merrill was a bright light in a dim room, batting .29 with 24HR and 89 RBI over 154 games and 547AB
- AL Manager of the year - AJ Hinch Tigers - after a decade long hiatus, Hinch and the Tigers will experience postseason action for the first time in a decade, They'll be looking to win a round (and game) for the first time since 2013.
- dishonorable mention: Paul GrifolERA ove and Grady Sizemore who are running a White Sox team that will break a modern day record for losses (are at 120 losses with one more series left)
- NL Manager of the year - Carlos Mendoza of the Mets, who are on the verge of making the playoffs after a poor season in 2023 when they had a 75-87 record despite a solid roster (at least on paper. Gibby deserves some credit for the turnaround too as the bench coach. If the Mets go far, Ross Atkins should take it as his cue to resign.
- Vlad, the Blue Jays present and possibly future over the next decade, had his second best year statistically and voiced his desire to remain in Toronto over the long haul. The Blue Jays need to get him to sign on the dotted line before he regrets that desire should the team fail to entice some solid free agents to come norrth of the border.
