In the wake of the Shohei Ohtani plane debacle, many Toronto Blue Jays fans have patiently waited for the game-breaking signing that would mend their broken hearts. The feeling of being mocked by the baseball world for believing the two-way superstar was on a private jet set to land in Toronto, only for Ohtani to sign with the Los Angeles Dodgers, was not a good one. Hopes rose and fell yet again as rumours of Cody Bellinger, Juan Soto, or even Joc Pederson signing with the Jays surfaced. So, after a San Francisco Giants-esqe offseason of pining after superstars, where do the Blue Jays stand? With opening day just around the corner on Mar. 28, The Tribune reviews the Jays signings, resignings, and plans for the 2024 season. 

With the loss of Brandon Belt and Matt Chapman to free agency, the Jays re-signed Kevin Kiermaier and added on Isiah Kiner-Falefa and Justin Turner. In 2023, Kiner-Falefa and Turner combined for a total of 2.2 wins-above-replacement (WAR) while Chapman alone corralled a 4.4 WAR season. The combo is a definite downgrade from the Belt-Chapman duo the year prior, placing the Jays’ hopes for a better season at the plate on the teams’ returning players. 

While having one of the best pitching staffs in 2023, the Jays’ offense was its biggest problem. Vladimir Guerrero Jr. posted a .264/.345/.788 slash line with 26 home runs in 2023, leaving Blue Jays fans with a sour taste in their mouth as many hoped he would revert back to his 2021 offensive prowess. Disappointing seasons from Alejandro Kirk, George Springer, and Daulton Varsho also plagued the 2023 offense; however, the Blue Jays’ front office seems to think they will be just fine. On Nov. 28, 2023, general manager Ross Atkins told the media that he feels “really good” about the 2024 season. However, the lacklustre signings of Kiner-Falefa and Turner mean that Guerrero, Kirk, and Springer (and hopefully Varsho) will have to dramatically outperform their 2023 seasons if the Jays want to have a shot.  

Yet, the seemingly invincible pitching staff of 2023 is also starting to show some vulnerability. After an abhorrent 2023, Alek Manoah’s promises of a bounce-back season in 2024 seem to be on hold following a not-so-good outing on Feb. 27 where he hit three batters combined with shoulder soreness. The Jays’ ace Kevin Gausman is also day-to-day with a shoulder injury and is expected to miss Opening Day. 

Reflective of the Jays’ front-office woes, the most exciting move of the offseason was the signing of Toronto-born Joey Votto. After 17 seasons with the Cincinnati Reds in which he made six all-star appearances and led the league in on-base percentage in seven seasons, Votto’s -0.1 WAR in 2023 prompted the Reds to let him go into free agency. While there is no doubt that Votto is well past his prime, as illustrated by the Jays only offering him a minor-league deal, the signing has generated a sense of nostalgia for the Canadian fanbase. It also ended Votto’s peculiar social media posts throughout his free agency, where he threatened to stop putting away his cart after shopping if not signed by a major league team, among other things. 

The Athletic gave the Blue Jays’ front office a D grade, calling the offseason “underwhelmingly unimaginative.” A fan survey conducted by The Athletic also revealed “a feeling of blah amongst many in the fanbase.” Alternatively, FanGraphs projects the Jays to win only 83 games this season, a total that gives the team a 45.3 per cent chance of making the playoffs and would earn them a fourth-place finish in the American League East. While Baseball Prospectus’ PECOTA system has more faith, projecting the Jays for 88 wins, a second-place finish, and a 65 per cent chance to make the playoffs, there is a lack of excitement surrounding the Jays for the first time in a few years. 

So what does The Tribune think? We agree with the “feeling of blah.” Sadly, the Jays have not given us much to be excited about. But with expectations low for the first time in a few years, maybe being underestimated is just what this team needs.