The Toronto Blue Jays made the postseason in 2022 for the second time in three seasons. But after a strong regular season, the Jays failed to win a game in the MLB Playoffs. Toronto will return a strong core once again for 2023, and the team’s front office did quite a bit to boost the group. Here’s an overview of the Toronto Blue Jays’ offseason.
Related: 2022-23 MLB Offseason Recap: Washington Nationals
Notable Additions
- RHP Chris Bassitt
- 1B Brandon Belt
- OF Kevin Kiermaier
- RHP Erik Swanson
- C/OF Daulton Varsho
Toronto finished the 2022 campaign with a right-handed heavy lineup. The Blue Jays changed that this offseason with a series of moves, highlighted by the addition of Daulton Varsho. The new Jay outfielder cracked 27 home runs last season for the Diamondbacks, and was terrific defensively. Varsho, coupled with former Ray and three-time Gold Glover Kevin Kiermaier, should fit in nicely with Toronto.
The Jays also inked OBP machine Brandon Belt to a one-year deal. Belt missed most of last season due to knee problems, but was one of the league’s better hitters during the 2021 campaign.
On the pitching side, Toronto signed RHP Chris Bassitt to a three-year deal. Bassitt has proven to be a deceptive and craft pitch in his career, and will look to add stability to the Jays’ rotation this season.
Notable Subtractions
- OF Jackie Bradley Jr.
- OF Lourdes Gurriel Jr.
- OF Teoscar Hernández
- C Gabriel Moreno
- RHP David Phelps
- RHP Ross Stripling
- OF Raimel Tapia
Toronto’s outfield did get better defensively this winter, but it did come at a cost. The Jays traded one of the team’s more valuable hitters in Lourdes Gurriel Jr. and catching prospect Gabriel Moreno. Moreno was one of the Blue Jays’ best young players, but the presence of Alejandro Kirk and Danny Jansen at the catcher position gave Toronto the option to fill a hole on its roster.
The most notable loss this offseason was Teoscar Hernández. The two-time Silver Slugger has been one of the game’s best power hitters from the right side over the last three seasons. Hernández, though, is set to become a free agent after the 2023 season. Toronto moved Hernández to Seattle, and in turn received a quality arm in Erik Swanson.
A Recap
Armed with an already strong core, Toronto tweaked its roster to make its group deeper and to clean up some holes. A lack of left-handed hitting prowess was apparent after last season, and Toronto added several lefties to fix that. Chris Bassitt, meanwhile, should make the Jays’ rotation deeper. The Blue Jays boasted one of the game’s best 1-2 punches last season, and Bassitt’s prescence should make navigating the Jays’ rotation much tougher for opposing teams.
