For the first time since 2014, the MLB playoffs do not feature the Toronto Blue Jays on the field. According to manager John Gibbons, if the team wants to get back there next year, the priority should be to add more offence.
“No. 1, I think we got to beef up the offence,” Gibbons told Bob McCown and Damien Cox on Prime Time Sports when asked to give an off-season wish list. “We still have basically the core group but I think to add a little offence and hopefully a little bit more team speed.”
Getting runs was definitely a problem for the Blue Jays, especially in a season where balls were leaving stadiums at historic numbers. The team failed to score more than 700 total runs for the first time since 1997 and only two players hit more than 30 home runs. On the base paths, the Blue Jays only hit five triples and stole 53 bases.
“We’ve been hunting for a leadoff guy for a while now in Toronto,” Gibbons said. “That would be ideal but I’m not sure if those guys are available.”
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Gibbons also pointed out that the team has room to upgrade in the rotation and could sign a fifth starter. Depending on the role Joe Biagini plays, the Blue Jays could grab another arm in free agency.
One upgrade the team will be making on the mound this winter will be getting Aaron Sanchez healthy. The 25-year-old was limited to only eight starts in 2017 but Gibbons says the team is expecting him to be ready to go in spring training.
“Talking to the doctors and trainers, they all think he’s going to get past this,” Gibbons said. “Last year… he probably came back too quick. So it was frustrating on all ends.
“Aaron is so young too, he’s got the future ahead of him,” Gibbons added. “It’s always in the back of a manager’s mind that you don’t want to comprise that.”
Finally, Gibbons tried to assure Blue Jays fans that Josh Donaldson wants to remain with the Blue Jays beyond the 2018 season. The future of the 2015 MVP with the team is a big question this off-season, as Donaldson only has one year remaining on his contract. Team management will need to decide whether he wants to pay Donaldson the giant contract he’s certain to ask for, or if the Blue Jays are better off trading the third-baseman for younger assets.
Gibbons said GM Ross Atkins and president Mark Shapiro want to keep Donaldson, but baseball is a business with a lot of variables.
“He loves Toronto,” Gibbons said. “But he’s also a business man. These guys, once they become established and they turn into better players in baseball, they get one shot at free agency and that’s where they can make a boatload.
“I’m sure he’s looking at that, in fact I know he’s looking at that. But deep down I do know he wants to stay in Toronto.”
You can listen to the whole interview below, which includes Gibbons making fun of McCown’s ceremonial first pitch before a Blue Jays game in September (which you can watch at the top of this page).
