The Ex-Files are usually a space to keep tabs on former Toronto Blue Jays players. But of course, with the Atlanta Braves set to visit Rogers Centre for a two-game series this week, we’ll make an exception.
Led by general manager Alex Anthopoulos — former Blue Jays GM and Canadian baseball folk hero — the Braves will arrive as one of the best teams in the National League. Flush with a talented core of young players and a top-tier farm system, the Braves present quite an auspicious situation for Anthopoulos, who joined the organization at the end of last year.
If he decides to join the Braves in Toronto, Anthopoulos will get a chance to see a different organization than the one he left following the conclusion of the 2015 season. The Blue Jays are no longer a legitimate contender and in many ways, Anthopoulos’s fingerprints are slowly being erased as the club continues a roster overhaul that could be accelerated ahead of the July trade deadline.
Here’s a look at how some former Blue Jays, all of whom were instrumental to Anthopoulos’s tenure in Toronto, are faring with their new clubs.
Jose Bautista, New York Mets
0.1 WAR (FanGraphs) | 2 HR | .182/.319/.338
The last time we checked in on Bautista, he was with the Braves. The 37-year-old was since released and landed in New York, where he got off to a hot start — posting an .899 OPS over his first 12 games — before cooling down. He’s played mostly left field with the Mets but did get into a game late as a second baseman, playing there for one inning after entering as a pinch-hitter. It was the first time he appeared at second since 2008.
Edwin Encarnacion, Cleveland Indians
0.5 WAR | 16 HR | .231/.304/.476
Though his power has mostly been there, Encarnacion has exhibited some alarming offensive trends so far this season. He’s striking out at a 26 per cent rate, which is well above his career average of 16.8 per cent. He’s also walking less (8.3 per cent) than at any point since 2011. Add in the fact he’s pulling the ball at a career-low 36.8 per cent clip, and the outlook is not great for the 35-year-old slugger.
However, the jury’s not out just yet on Encarnacion, as he always seems to heat up during the summer months.
David Price, Boston Red Sox
1.8 WAR | 3.76 ERA | 81.1 innings | 79 strikeouts | 30 walks
Give credit to Price for what he’s done on the mound lately. He moved past the bout of mild carpal tunnel syndrome in his left wrist that brought questions about his video game habits and has very quietly corrected his season. He’s now reeled off seven strong outings in a row, sporting a 2.64 ERA and .314 opponents’ slugging percentage over that span. The Red Sox won each of those contests, which is important because it looks like their fight with the Yankees for the division title is going to come down to the wire. Price could be a key difference maker in that race.
Jose Reyes, New York Mets
-0.9 WAR | 1 HR | .160/.222/.227
Bautista’s friend and teammate is really going through it in New York, where he’s been affixed to the bench amid questions about his future with the club. His struggles have grown so bad the Mets barely even play him anymore — he’s started just 13 games this season, with the last coming on May 29.
“When I signed here, it never went through my mind that I was going to spend 15 days without a start,” Reyes told NorthJersey.com. “It’s hard for me to believe that when I sign here I’m going to spend two weeks without starts. It happens. I continue to come here with my head up and whatever happens, happens.”
It doesn’t help matters when you make two errors on one play, like Reyes did in a recent game.
Drew Hutchison, Free agent
-0.3 WAR | 4.64 ERA | 21.1 innings | 19 strikeouts | 13 walks
Hard to believe Hutchison was the opening day starter for the Blue Jays in 2015. Fast forward to the present, where he’s in major limbo. Hutchison spent all of 2017 in the Pirates’ minor-league system and then signed with the Phillies this past February. The right-hander made it onto the major-league roster, but wasn’t effective over his 11 relief appearances and was recently designated for assignment by the club. He has since cleared outright waivers and elected free agency.
It remains to be seen if there will be another chapter to write in the 27-year-old’s career.
Noah Syndergaard, New York Mets
1.9 WAR | 3.06 ERA | 64.2 innings | 76 strikeouts | 13 walks
As the Mets fall further out of contention by the day, rumours have begun in earnest about Syndergaard’s future with the team. There’s a case to be made for trading the hard-throwing right-hander, who’s under control through the 2021 season, because the hefty return would jump-start a potential rebuild. However, any deal will have to wait until he’s healthy — Syndergaard is on the disabled list with a strained ligament in his right index finger.
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