PREDICTING THE 2020 TORONTO BLUE JAYS OPENING DAY ROSTER

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by Mason McRae

  In case you didn’t notice, I try my hardest not to talk about the Blue Jays and their current season. Not that I’m upset in the horrific season they’re having – I’m actually perfectly fine with it. As long as we get a top-three pick, I won’t complain. Today I’m taking a break from draft talk since the next few weeks won’t have any events big enough to change anybody’s draftboards. 

 

Today, I’m going to take a stab at predicting the 2020 roster for the best (and worst) baseball team in Canada. Do I think this will happen? Not really, It’s mainly what I would do if I was making the decisions. 

   

   A few things to note:  in free agency, I try to stay away from players with picks attached to them and go for the borderline players with some talent. Also, I tried trading for players with a 2020 salary that was withstandable to pay – to reel in some extra prospects. Since the Jays won’t be a competitive team in 2020, why not pay money for prospects! Also, I tried’ being realistic when it comes to prospects (mainly Nate Pearson), I personally think he’ll be ready for opening day. But the best move would be to wait, similar to what they did with Vladdy this past season. Santiago Espinal and Cullen Large are two very-unkown prospects I’m a fan of – Santiago should be borderline ready for the 2020 season, while Cullen still has a year or two until he’s even thinking about the bigs. Groshans, Manoah, Kloffenstein, Conine, and Pardinho are other top prospects that have absolutely no chance of being called-up. I doubt any of them are on the Blue Jays until 2021, 2022 or maybe even 2023.

 

Okay, here we go. Please don’t get upset because the backup catcher or fifth infielder isn’t who you wanted. Here’s my 2020 Toronto Blue Jays opening day roster!

 

Trades & Acqusitions

 

• SP Marcus Stroman and RP Ken Giles to the Cardinals for SS Nolan Gorman, C Andrew Knizer, SP Alex Reyes, and RP Brett Cecil

 

The Jays trade away Stroman and Giles at the deadline for an extremely talented shortstop with lots of potential in Gorman and two somewhat old prospects with high upside (Reyes left his minor league appearance this past week and has had numerous injuries over his career) The Jays also take Brett Cecil in the deal, he carries a hefty 2020 salary – I’m sure St. Louis is looking to get rid of it. Taking Cecil’s salary convinces the Cardinals to let an extremely talented arm in Alex Reyes go.

 

• 1B Justin Smoak to the Athletics for SP Grant Holmes, OF Brett Siddall and OF Austin Beck

 

Another deadline deal, the Jays deal away Smoak for an ex-first rounder who’s been dealt once before in Grant Holmes. As well as a low-level Canadian prospect in Brett Siddall and lastly a somewhat talented outfielder in Austin Beck who has some upside.

 

• RP Tim Mayza, OF Socrates Brito, and to the White Sox for RP Kelvin Herrera, OF Bryce Bush, and International Slot Pool Money

 

An offseason deal, the Jays trade away two mid-20’s players who’ve shown glimpses of hope for a reliever who’s had injury concerns and carries a hefty 2020 contract (2021 club option) as well as a low-level prospect in Bryce Bush who could push for the Jays roster. The Int. pool money won’t be much. 

 

Resignings/FA Signings

• Corey Dickerson – 3 years, 22.5m 
• Steve Pearce – 1 year, 6m
• Collin McHugh – 5 years, 55m
• Shelby Miller – 2 year, 12m (club option for year two)
• Arodys Vizcaino – 4 year, 9m (player opt out after year two, club option for year four)
• Freddy Galvis – Jays pick up 2020 option

 

Departures

• Eric Sogard – FA
• Brandon Drury – AAA
• Clayton Richard – FA
• Derek Law – AAA
• Joe Biagni – AAA
• Marcus Stroman – Trade
• Ken Giles – Trade
• Justin Smoak – Trade
• Luke Maile – DFA’d
• David Phelps – Jays decline 2020 option
• Nick Kingham – AAA
• Daniel Hudson – DFA’d
• Sam Gaviglio – AAA
• Edwin Jackson – DFA’d
• Ryan Tepera – AAA
• Danny Barnes – AAA

 

The 25-Man Roster

Catchers: Danny Jansen, Reese McGuire

 

Infielders: Rowdy Telez, Steve Pierce, Cavin Biggio, Bo Bichette, Freddy Galvis, Vladimir Guerrero Jr, 

 

Outfielders: Teoscar Hernandez, Anthony Alford, Randal Grichick, Lourdes Gurriel Jr, Corey Dickerson

 

Starting Pitchers: Matt Shoemaker, Collin McHugh, Shelby Miller, Sean Reid-Foley, and Patrick Murphy

 

Relievers: Elvis Luciano, Arodys Vizcaino, Aaron Sanchez, Brett Cecil, Kelvin Herrera, Ryan Borucki, Trent Thornton

 

The Lineup

 

1 – Randall Grichick, CF

2 – Vladimir Guerrero Jr, DH

3 – Bo Bichette, SS

4 – Rowdy Tellez, 1B

5 – Corey Dickerson, RF

6 – Lourdes Gurriel Jr, LF

7 – Freddy Galvis – 3B

8 – Cavan Biggio, 2B

9 – Danny Jansen, C

Reese McGuire, C

Steve Pierce, 1B

Teoscar Hernandez, LF

Anthony Alford, CF

The Rotation

1 – Collin McHugh, RHP

2 – Matt Shoemaker, RHP

3 – Shelby Miller, RHP

4 – Patrick Murphy, RHP

5 – Sean Reid-Foley, RHP

 

The Bullpen

 

ST – Kelvin Herrera, RHP

ST – Arodys Vizcaino, RHP

ST – Brett Cecil, LHP

LR – Elvis Luciano, RHP

LR – Aaron Sanchez, RHP

LR – Ryan Borucki, LHP

LR – Trent Thornton, RHP

 

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