However, this is the 2020 season, so they were a playoff team. Which, honestly, was kinda cool. You don't often see clunky little cinderella teams like the Jays squeeze into the playoffs very often anymore. And, thankfully, the Blue Jays were exactly that. A harmless, cinderella team that had a nice little time in the playoffs before losing to the AL Champion Rays in a Wild Card series. It was nice to see a Jays team that didn't threaten me, that I could potentially root for without having flashbacks of those terrible 2015-16 runs that came out of nowhere.
Like any mid-tier playoff team, the Blue Jays were imperfect. Yes, Matt Shoemaker was able to stay healthy until September, which is a marvel in itself, but right as he was beginning to get the hang of things, he was phased out in favor of some of the new starters in Toronto. He did finish the season with an improved 4.71 ERA, 26 Ks and a postseason start, so...he's still far from as useless as he was in his injury-prone era.
2021 Prediction: Will be a solid fourth starter for a mid-tier team. I think he'll start 18 games, which is as much as the last 3 seasons combined.
Coming off of a strong year with two clubs, Tanner Roark was signed to back up Trent Thornton and Hyun-Jin Ryu in the rotation, and he...had a weak year, what else can I say? In 11 starts he had a 6.80 ERA and 46 strikeouts, and a 2-3 record. Not much at all worth talking about.
2021 Prediction: A return to form, and a lower ERA, but...I don't think he'll spend the entire season in the rotation.
Danny Jansen won the catching battle over Reese McGuire, on account of Jansen not being an abuser. Jansen did, however, fail to hit over .200, despite 20 RBIs, 6 homers and some clutch moments down the stretch. He's still a durable, reliable catcher, but he needs to learn to hit for average.
2021 Prediction: By September he's backing up Alejandro Kirk.
Travis Shaw was the centerpiece of the Brewers two years ago, but since his average has fallen off he's looked more mortal than ever. In his first season as Blue Jays third baseman, Shaw hit .239 with 39 hits, 17 RBIs and 6 homers. Not much to write home about whatsoever.
2021 Prediction: Wherever he signs, it'll be as a bench/backup.
A year after debuting as the lovable power-hitting DH in Toronto, Rowdy Tellez took a step back as the other Baby Jays sort of took over the assault. He still hit .283 with 23 RBIs and 8 homers, but he missed most of September due to injuries, and was missing for the postseason. Despite a nice season, he's gotta win back some goodwill, cause they could have needed him.
2021 Prediction: 30 homers, .250 average, and serious trade talks.
Speaking of trade talks, after landing in New York for the waiver deadline last year, Joe Panik hopped onto the Blue Jays bench, hoping to get some playing time backing up the baby Jays. An injury to Bo Bichette gave Panik some much needed starting time in August, right before Jonathan Villar would take the position. In 41 games, Panik hit .225 with 7 RBIs and 27 hits. Not to the caliber of his Giants numbers, but not bad.
2021 Prediction: Someone will pick him up, but his days of starting are over.
And in the 'surprising reliever' category, as Anthony Bass did the majority of the ninth inning work, the statistical relief pitching leader for 2020 was Rafael Dolis, the former Cubs prospect who hadn't pitched in the majors since 2013. Dolis had spent the last 4 seasons pitching for the Hanshin Tigers, becoming one of their premier relief weapons, and building his arsenal back up for a return to the majors. In 24 innings, Dolis posted a 1.50 ERA with 31 strikeouts and 5 saves. Safe to say the big man is back in the MLB to stay.
2021 Prediction: Will eventually get the closing gig, get 35 saves and be the talk of the winter meetings.
I had to split this post in two for the sake of the tags, so everybody who joined this team after Opening Day is tonight in Part 1.
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